“I suffered in silence.” Wentworth Miller on the cruelty of social media & paparazzi

Actor Wentworth Miller has spoken out on the pain inflicted by social media and press at a time when he was feeling suicidal.

In 2010 Miller was the subject of a paparazzo photo that showed he had put on weight. It consequently became an internet meme.

At the time he was “semi-retired” from acting and struggling with on-going depression, which has plagued him since childhood.

“First and foremost, I was suicidal,” he wrote on Facebook today.

“This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about.

“But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.

“In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed.”

In 2013 Miller came out and revealed he had attempted suicide as a teenager multiple times.

But he has also written about inner strength and survival, encouraging others to reach out to those suffering from mental health.

“My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without,” he wrote.

“Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.”

In recent years Miller has returned to a successful career in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash and has an upcoming sequel for Prison Break. He also wrote the 2013 feature Stoker.

Here is his Facebook post published in its entirety:

Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time.

This one, however, stands out from the rest.

In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, I was suicidal.

This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about.

But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.

Ashamed and in pain, I considered myself damaged goods. And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction. Not for the first time.

I’ve struggled with depression since childhood. It’s a battle that’s cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.

In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be.

And I put on weight. Big f–king deal.

One day, out for a hike in Los Angeles with a friend, we crossed paths with a film crew shooting a reality show. Unbeknownst to me, paparazzi were circling. They took my picture, and the photos were published alongside images of me from another time in my career. “Hunk To Chunk.” “Fit To Flab.” Etc.

My mother has one of those “friends” who’s always the first to bring you bad news. They clipped one of these articles from a popular national magazine and mailed it to her. She called me, concerned.

In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed.

Long story short, I survived.

So do those pictures.

I’m glad.

Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle. My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without.

Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.

Anyway. Still. Despite.

The first time I saw this meme pop up in my social media feed, I have to admit, it hurt to breathe. But as with everything in life, I get to assign meaning. And the meaning I assign to this/my image is Strength. Healing. Forgiveness.

Of myself and others.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone. Someone cares. They’re waiting to hear from you. Much love. – W.M. ‪#‎koalas‬‪#‎inneractivist‬‪#‎prisonbroken‬

www.afsp.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.activeminds.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.iasp.info

www.facebook.com/notes/wentworth-miller/flour-or-wheat/1653559881523614

Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36