Scandal! actress Ingénue Nomvelo Makhanya has opened up about her mental health, and has for the first time spoken about her admission to a psychiatric hospital.
The actress is best known for her role as Lindiwe Ngema on e.tv fan favorite Scandal!
Three years ago in 2016, Nomvelo was diagnosed with depression, bipolar and anxiety. She was just 20 at the time.
Speaking to the Sowetan, the 23 year old opened her heart for the first time, revealing how hard it is to speak about mental illness.
“I was living with it for a long time, but I was unaware. I would go through these emotions, but I didn’t understand why. Until I started seeing a psychologist,” said Makhanya.
“Right now days are not the same. Some days are great and some days are bad. I have learnt more about it.
“So I understand that when I feel a certain way, it’s not going to last forever. I think I’m in a good space mentally.”
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She added that it was very difficult for her to learn how to function as normal after she was discharged from hospital. She was put on various medication, but she gradually stopped taking them.
“It didn’t happen overnight. I remember when I got discharged and returned to work it was difficult. I felt like I was breaking down and needed to find my pills.
“It was extremely hard to adjust to the outside world. The sleeping tablets started to affect my life and I would be late for work. My call time would be 7am and I found myself waking up at 10am.”
Makhanya has now joined the fight against mental stigma, and will be a guest speaker at the Silent Crisis event in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on July 27.
