Maureen Wroblewitz reveals struggles with mental health

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains discussions about suicide, self-harm, depression.

Model and beauty queen Maureen Wroblewitz has opened up about a dark chapter in her life.

In a lengthy post on Wednesday, September 6, the 2021 Miss Universe Philippines runner-up reflected on her struggles with mental health and revealed that she once attempted suicide while battling depression during her teenage years.

Sharing a throwback photo of herself, Maureen said, “This girl that you see smiling and posing in front of the camera was thinking of all the easiest ways to end her life just a few months prior. If it wasn’t for her little sister finding her in a vulnerable situation and telling her parents about it, I don’t know if I would be here today.

“After losing my Mom at the age of 11 and experiencing more of life’s difficulties soon after, I had slowly started losing faith in myself. I was fighting my inner demons alone because I chose to suffer in silence. I didn’t want to burden anyone with my problems but I also was too ashamed of them. I knew something was wrong but I wanted to hide that for as long as I could. I wasn’t until one blurry night and suddenly I was exposed,” she wrote.

After deciding to seek help from a therapist, Maureen said she was gifted a book — Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic — by her father that ultimately inspired her to change her outlook on life.

“Nick’s story had made me realize that at just 13, I hadn’t even seen the world yet. I didn’t know what was yet to happen, and I thought ‘What if I do become someone in this lifetime?’ ‘What if I get to inspire people with my story?’ ‘What if I’m meant for something bigger?’ From then on I knew I had to make my dreams a reality, I knew I couldn’t hide in my darkness forever. I was convinced that telling my story was my purpose and that I had to work hard so I could become someone that I’m proud of,” she said.

Maureen, 25, said that just having that change of mindset opened a lot of doors for her.

“I started my fashion blog a few months later and even though I kept it a secret from people in my school out of fear of being judged, I shared about my life and my love for fashion. A year later I got discovered by my now momager on Instagram and 3 years after that, I was living my dreams in the Philippines,” she said.

The former Asia’s Next Top Model winner said she has always wanted to share her story and be more open about her struggles with mental health, but just didn’t know how.

“I now understand that the best way is to just do it, to speak my truth and people will listen. I believe that even if I get to help just one person by sharing my story, I have done something right. Depressions is still a constance battle for me but I am no longer afraid to ask for help. I see my therapist every month, I have motivational calls with my momager and I have the support of my family and my boyfriend,” Maurren said.

She went on to express her gratitude to everyone in her life “who love and care for me,” including her fans.

“I wouldn’t be here without them… literally. To all my supporters, you have made my dreams possible and you still continue to do so,” Maureen said.

“I can now say that I’m extremely proud of myself, not just for all my achievements but for having found the strength to fight for what I believed in. I’m glad I didn’t give up on myself. I now know that I am truly meant for something bigger,” she added.

If you or a loved one is in need of help, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has trained respondents to properly deal with those in need. Contact the hotline at 0917-899-USAP (8727) / 0917-989-8727. You can also contact HopelinePhilippines at (02) 804-HOPE (4673), 0917 558 HOPE (4673), 2919 (Toll free for Globe, TM)