By: Natasha Archary
Idols SA judge, Somizi has opened up about the importance of prioritizing one’s mental health particularly around the festive season.
Somizi said that the festive period is one of the toughest periods for a lot of people including himself.
“There’s so much of pressure on people around this time of year that often what they’re going through is easy to be overlooked. People are so caught up in the colours, the gifts, the food, having family around, big lunches, big everything.
But in the middle of all that there can be someone who is struggling during this time of year, having lost loved ones, or a job, or they feel they haven’t achieved their goals for the year.
So, while everyone else is celebrating the holidays, remember that depression and anxiety is real for a lot of people.”
Somizi on depression
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Somizi took the time to remember some of his industry friends who succumbed to their battle with depression, highlighting how real the struggle with mental health is.
He opened up about his own challenges with mental health in his “bathroom talks” Instagram series, which his followers have come to appreciate and grow fond of. It’s where Somizi gets real about life and how experiences such as pain, heartache, toxic environments have shaped him.
One of the most important nuggets that SomG, as he is affectionately known, dished out is that when people open up about their depression, it’s not because they’re seeking attention.
“That’s the first reaction people with depression generally get. No it’s not an attention-seeking statement, it’s very much a cry for help. Can you imagine the courage it takes to reach out to someone when you are at your lowest?
Hear them out. Just listen and be human. It’s so important to just be a human being.”
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