Loose Women's Jamelia says her daughter cried when she revealed battle with depression
The singer spoke about mental health on Loose Women
Jamelia has opened up about having depression and told the Loose Women panel that her daughter cried when she told her.
Appearing on the show, she said “Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, it affects everything”.
The singer revealed that her eldest daughter Teja cried when Jamelia told her about the illness, in a bid to help her understand mental health and the difference between feeling sad and having depression.
It’s after her daughter said she was ‘feeling a bit depressed’ and her friends would casually use the word ‘OCD’ without being aware that it’s a serious condition.
Jamelia admitted that she’s suffered from depression her whole life but was only diagnosed eight years ago, after going through a divorce.
She said she ‘couldn’t function’, adding that she felt ‘consumed with sadness’ and struggled to do everyday tasks.
After seeing a doctor she turned down anti-depressants but went through therapy which helped her manage the condition and know what situations could trigger the illness.
See the full interview below. The singer has two daughters, 15-year-old Teja from a previous relationship and 11-year-old Tiani.
She shares Tiani with footballer Darren Byfield, whom she married in 2008 but a year later it was announced the pair were filing for a divorce.
Depression is not uncommon and the NHS predicts that it affects one in every ten people at some point in their lives.
There are a number of things that can trigger it including bereavement, pain and stress at work and it can be treated through medication, therapy or through self-help methods.
For more information visit the NHS website.