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.
