Singer Holliday spreads message of hope on mental illness.

Grammy and Tony award–winning artist Jennifer Holliday has been to the top.

But the singer and actress said even she has struggled with demons.

On Thursday night, the soulful singer spoke about battling depression at an event hosted by Bryan Health.

“I had gotten dropped by my record label and lost pretty much all of my possessions,” Holliday said.  “I was overweight and kept just ballooning up.  I don’t know, I just felt all hope was gone so I just decided to end it all.

Holliday said that’s when she knew she was clinically depressed.  She said it’s something she continues to live with today.

“The thing about it now is that I’ve learned coping skills and coping mechanism,” Holliday said.  “Still taking medication, still see a therapist.  And so my life is much better now.”

That’s the kind of message Bryan Health wants people to hear.

“Hearing a celebrity such as Jennifer speak out about her own personal struggles is very powerful,” said Mental Health Services manager Dr. David Miers.  “An individual can hear that and say ‘gosh, I’m not alone.'”

Holliday has a message to anyone else who suffers from a mental illness.

“You are not alone and that there is hope,” she said.  “And don’t…don’t give up.  Please.”

If you think you or someone you know suffers from a form of mental illness, there are services available.

For online mental health screenings: http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/bryanhealth

The Bryan Health Counseling Center: (402) 481-5991