Warning: This post deals with mental health and may be triggering for some readers.
South Australian supermodel Adut Akech has opened up about her private struggles with mental health.
The 19-year-old, who came to Australia as a child refugee from South Sudan, has quickly rose to fame in the fashion world in the past year.
Not only did Adut grace multiple covers of Vogue, she was also recognised as the world’s top female model by website models.com.
But while the Adelaide-based model is no doubt kicking goals in her professional life, she has now opened up publicly about her ongoing mental health struggles.
Sharing a lengthy post to her 270,000+ Instagram followers, the supermodel Adut reached out to others who suffer from depression and anxiety.
“I’m a young woman with every day feelings that are like everyone else – the ups and the downs happen to me too naturally,” the 19-year-old wrote.
“I’ve suffered from really bad depression and anxiety for a while now and I still do but I’m learning to handle it better now but it’s a daily struggle and not every day is a ‘good day’,” she continued.
“Every single day of my life in 2018 was a challenge filled with some serious obstacles to overcome. I would wake up every morning crying but put the biggest smile on my face and I tried my hardest to push through the day pretending I was fine but then I’d come home and cry some more and go to sleep.
“This became my routine for the majority of 2018 and in all honesty it was so draining mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I don’t know how I’m still here today but I’m so grateful I am.”
Adut concluded her post by urging others suffering with mental health struggles to reach out and seek help.
“I can’t stress enough to the people who know someone who is suffering from any mental illness, I pray that you guys just be there for them and be their brightest light through their darkest days.”
Adut’s modelling career began when she was just 16, when she signed to Sydney’s Chadwick Models. She then made her international runway debut just six months later for Saint Laurent in Paris.
Since then, she has walked for Burberry, Valentino, Givenchy, Calvin Klein and Versace among others.
Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann recently described the supermodel as “the biggest fashion superstar in the world”.
If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner or in Australia, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 for support or beyondblue at 1300 22 4636.