Jessica Rowe and Tina Arena discuss mental health in candid chat: “I felt like a failure”
Jessica Rowe and Tina Arena got together for a special video chat on Instagram to discuss their mental health struggle.
Fans were able to watch the pair’s video chat in a small clip posted to the social media site, where they encouraged fans to reach out to others who may be having a difficult time during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jessica Rowe and Tina Arena got together for a video chat on mental health struggles in lockdown earlier this week.
“Having gone through mental health issues myself, I never ever want to think of someone suffering on their own,” Jess, 49, admitted honestly.
“I felt like a failure, but came to realise I just simply had an illness that I needed help to get through.
“During the uncertainty, it's easy to lean into fear and be unkind but now more than ever we need to lean into kindness,” she added.
Jessica has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness over the years and has opened up about her own struggles.
While speaking with Whimn in December of 2019, the former Studio 10 co-host admitted openly she struggled with depression and anxiety.
“I've had postnatal depression, depression and anxiety over the years, so I'm a passionate advocate for greater mental health awareness and the importance of asking for help,” she said.
“I felt like a failure because of my mental illness, but now I know that it's an illness like any other and nothing to be ashamed of.
“I asked for help, went to a psychiatrist and started taking medication, and I'm far healthier in my head as a result,” she added.
Tina also went on record earlier this month to speak out about her own personal mental struggles while in lockdown with her “traumatised” 14-year-old son, Gabriel.
Speaking to Stellar magazine, Arena said: “I'm struggling. I've got emails from teachers saying, ‘Gabriel hasn't handed in this and that...’”
Tina added: “But we will get there. Our kids are traumatised. They can't see their mates, it's tough.”
The Australian singer shares her son with French artist Vincent Mancini, who she married in 2000.