Sharon Osbourne talks about her recent mental health issues, and this is why it’s SO important

In a society where mental illness is still majorly stigmatized, it isn’t always easy to speak up. But that’s why it’s *so* important when people do. The more we talk about mental illness, the more that we recognize that there’s nothing bad about people who suffer from it. As many say, why judge someone who has, for example, schizophrenia, if we wouldn’t judge them if they had cancer? So when Sharon Osbourne opened up about her recent mental health issues, we were so grateful for her willingness to be open and unashamed. Because mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

In a Monday episode of The Talk, Osbourne opened up about her emergency leave of absence and admitted that she had to be placed in a facility.

"I had given up. I just couldn't deal," she told Access Hollywood. "At a very low point in my life, I was very frightened about what was going on with me mentally and the thoughts that were going into my head constantly."

Eventually, it was just too much for Sharon Osbourne, and her family stepped in to help her.

"It was actually Ozzy that got me to the hospital," said Sharon of her husband, reminding us of the importance of love and support.

It’s so necessary that those with mental illnesses have a strong support system, whether that be their families, partners, friends, an online community, or a support group. So often what we want is to know that we’re not alone, and to have people who will help us seek out resources.

Surviving mental illness is a struggle, but it isn’t impossible.

"I think if you are born with [depression] you have it all your life, and it's an ongoing battle, so it’s an ongoing thing of realizing how blessed you are and what you got to be happy about in the day and I have so much."

We’re so, so grateful for Osbourne’s vulnerability and honesty about her fight with mental illness, and we hope Sharon Osbourne (and everyone else with a mental illness) knows we send nothing but love. We’re listening.

H/T People