‘I’m struggling’: Brenda Mtambo on mental health struggles

Brenda Mtambo says she may look healthy on the outside but she is battling depression and remaining silent is killing her.

Singer Brenda Mtambo has shared that her mental health is deteriorating and she is not coping.

BRENDA MTAMBO OPENS UP ABOUT HER MENTAL CHALLENGES

Brenda is well-known for using her music to help heal others, but she has shared that she is facing challenges with her mental and emotional well-being.

On Wednesday, the afro-soul and jazz singer became vulnerable and opened up about her struggles with mental health on Instagram. She posted several stunning pictures of herself smiling on set, but noted that the pictures do not represent her current mental state.

“My mental health is deteriorating….. I know this is too much information, I am scared not talking is killing me,” she wrote on Instagram.

BRENDA ON LOSING HER GRANDMOTHER

The singer shared that she is dealing with grief, and the loss of her grandmother has affected her deeply.

“I don’t look like I am sick I know, but I am dying from grief, anxiety and so depressed. I wanted to heal away from the public but I work in public and I have to show up the way I am showing up on these pictures. Loosing my grandmother triggered me and the world feels empty,” she said.

She went on to say that she had been thinking of checking herself into a mental health facility, but she has two children to take care of and can’t be away from them for too long.

THE SINGER STRUGGLES TO SLEEP

Brenda went on to reveal that she has trouble sleeping. The I Love You hitmaker said although she can hide her depression, people shouldn’t make assumptions based on appearances.

“Mental health is crazy because you’ll never see me sad in public but I am struggling to even sleep now, my mind is on spiral , I went on a shoot and saw @buhlebendalomda she gave me a hug I lost it!

“I am experiencing grief but it’s affecting my mental health, and I know it can be so polished from outside, I know I can hide it so well too, not hide it but I can function very well. It feels like I need to be busy every day to deal with not feeling anything. There you have it, ‘ don’t judge a book by its cover’,” she wrote. 

FANS AND CELEBRITIES COMFORT HER

Her fans and fellow celebrities offered her support in the comments section and many have commended her for being vulnerable about her battle with mental health.

@buhlebendalomda: wrote “@lootlove2 posted something so powerful namhlanje about Grief. There’s a line ethi “Grief is love with no place to go” you just took one big step in creating umsele for that love to flow back to you. Thank you for telling your truth Queen. I love you dearly”

@melzinbala: wrote “Oh sis. How awful to feel. You must find a balance between showing up and wanting to hide. Please take care of yourself – for you, for your babies. We’ll be here when you return”

@annahmbele: wrote “Having someone who listens helps. Keep praying and don’t give up. You are loved.”