“There was a time in my life where I was very depressed. I had lost all self-esteem, and there was a point where I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror” – Momina Mustehsan
Pakistani singer Momina Mustehsan just took to Instagram to highlight a personal struggle she stated to be plagued with for quite some time.
The musician discusses her dealing with depression after her overnight catapult into stardom post ‘Afreen Afreen.’ In a belittling society and where mental illness is looked down upon with severe criticism, Momina’s unfurling of her inner demons has been met with national applaud.
Momina started off with asking the question, “I wonder what comes into peoples’ minds when they hear my name…”
The singer revealed her struggle with battling depression and anxiety and expressed her dismay that our society brushed such illnesses under the rug. In the three-part-series, Momina declared how “it wasn’t easy” for her, and how more often than not Pakistanis forgot she was in fact “human” too amidst all the critique and objectifying hurled her way. It was during the flight of ‘Afreen Afreen’ with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan that catalysed numerous anxiety attacks; “for me personally it was very hard. I would cry myself to sleep every night.”
The singer admitted that being depressed took a toll on her life, and what ended up saving her was a “fortune cookie”
The fortune cookie read “it only gets better when you get better,” and it was a phrase that the musician engraved into her life doctrine. She pinned her troubling time as having unexpected moments during the day where sadness took over body and soul; it was the smallest of triggers that had no time.
The unravelling was met with warm embrace by Pakistanis
Who apologized on the nation’s behalf for being rather cruel towards Momina
And churned out tremendous support
Many revealed how they could also relate to Momina’s struggle
And were relieved to know celebrities too face such burdens, encouraging more discussions around the topic
The singer’s bravery was commended
Watch the three-part-series below
What are your thoughts on Momina’s revelations about her battling depression and anxiety? Should mental illness be taken more seriously in Pakistan?