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Why so many men are thanking an Irish guy for revealing a secret they're too afraid to admit

His honesty captivated me. Hopefully it will inspire others to speak up.

Niall Breslin has everything going for him.

He's a famous musician, a producer, a former footballer, good-looking, smart, and an all-around nice guy.

So people were surprised to hear that he also battles with anxiety and depression.

The reality is, it can happen to anyone.

People were shocked when he described his anxiety as so horrific that he wanted to rip the skin off his face. At one point, he was in so much emotional pain, he tried to knock himself out by banging his head on the wall.

He slept in a park for two nights in the midst of a breakdown.

But there can be something even worse than anxiety attacks: constantly having to hide them.

Even though so many people have mental health issues or know someone who does, the stigma makes them want to keep it hidden for fear of being judged.

Boys, in particular, are taught that being a "man" means not having vulnerabilities. That perception has to stop.

He's been inundated by emails from men, thanking him for speaking out when they felt they couldn't.

He's trying to reach people who DON'T have mental health issues to help them understand what people who DO have them struggle with.

Understanding = less stigma = people speaking up and getting help.

Hear him explain in his own soul-baring words below.

He's brave for speaking up to help others.

That's another thing he can add to his list of things he has going for him.

Joy

Video of cats punching above their weight gives us a new appreciation for our feline friends

Maybe they're actually as superior as they think they are.

Photo by 傅甬 华 on Unsplash

Cats are far more badass than we give them credit for.

Cats have a reputation for being aloof and standoffish, like they're better than everyone and simply can't be bothered. Those of us who have cats know they're not always like that … but yes, they're sometimes like that. They can be sweet and affectionate, but they want affection on their terms, they want to eat and play and sleep on their own clock, and we puny, inferior humans have little say in the matter.

There's a reason why we have obedience schools for dogs and not for cats. Maine coon or Bengal, Savannah or Siamese, ragdoll or sphynx, domestic cats of all breeds are largely untrainable little punks who lure us into loving them by blessing us with the honor of stroking their fur and hearing them purr.

But perhaps we assume too much when we think cats are full of themselves for no good reason. Maybe they are actually somewhat justified in their snootiness. Maybe they really, truly are superior to pretty much every other creature on Earth and that's why they act like it.

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Pop Culture

Jonah Hill announces he's stopped doing press for his films to prioritize his mental health

“I usually cringe at letters or statements like this," Hill said.

via Wikimedia Commons

Actor and director Jonah Hill at the Berlinale 2019.

It’s difficult to have a lot of sympathy for celebrities who have a hard time living in the spotlight. It’s generally accepted as the price one has to pay for all of the benefits that come with being famous. Most people would probably trade having negative things said about them in the press for the power, access, opportunities and money that come with living in the public eye.

However, there’s something to be said for creating art without having to risk your mental health. Or, simply performing your job without suffering from an anxiety attack.

Actor-director Jonah Hill wrote an open letter, first published by Deadline, announcing he will no longer do press appearances because they create too much anxiety. The announcement comes as he prepares for the release of his new documentary, “Stutz,” about his relationship with his therapist.

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Pop Culture

Parents react to video of Britney Spears 'yelling' at her kids and it's a great teaching moment

Can we just admit that parenting is hard for everyone?

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Parents respond to video of Britney Spears.

Parenting is hard for just about everyone. You're completely responsible for a small human that doesn't come with an instruction manual, and it's a case of trying to do the best you can with what you've got. Some people seem to think that celebrities should be infallible, so when Kevin Federline shared a video of Britney Spears being stern with her children there was always going to be negative feedback. But surprisingly, the video has, in fact, stirred up more support for the star and her parenting methods.

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