Yesterday, Nadine Lustre asked for a simple request and that is to stop posting photos and videos from her brother’s funeral as a sign of respect. Just last night, she posted heartfelt stories and messages on her Instagram feed and allowed herself to open up about the importance of mental health.

“It may come as a surprise to you but I have struggled with depression way back and still am to this day,” she first said. “I have days where I’m just sitting in the tub, asking myself a lot of questions, confused…I felt like I was just looking in someone else’s life through a window. Feeling bad ‘cuz I am not enough and everything that I do and will do will never be enough. It’s not easy.”

It may come as a surprise to you but I have struggled with depression way back and still am to this day. I have days where Im just sitting in the tub, asking myself a lot of questions, confused.. I felt like I was just looking in someone else’s life through a window. Feeling bad cuz I am not enough and everything that I do and will do will never be enough. Its not easy. I have days when I have to put a mask on, smiling, numbing myself from negative emotions, too often I have already mastered the art of hiding it, I bet, you never even noticed it. Im thankful that Im blessed to have a strong heart and clear mind. Family who will always be my strength. Friends who will always pull me up. Love who will always guide me. if you ever hit rock bottom, dont be ashamed of opening up to your loved ones. if anyone understands and cares about what you’re going through, its them. You are who/what you say you are. If you think you’re weak, you will be weak. If you tell yourself you are not worthy, you will be unworthy. But, if you say you’re strong, you will be strong and If you tell yourself you can do it, you can do anything. The ONLY validation that you will ever need is one from yourself. If you’re HEARTBROKEN, cry it out, okay.. and then STOP. Pick yourself up and dust it off. He/She ain’t the last person on earth. Trust me when I tell you that you will find someone else… meant for you and who will better you. I didn’t believe that before either, but here I am now. DONT EVEN think about hurting yourself or taking your life just because you want the pain and sadness to stop. ITS OKAY to be sad. ITS OKAY to feel pain. ITS OKAY to be vulnerable. We are made to have emotions. Dont be afraid to let it out. Before you do something you will regret, think about all the great things that you can do in the future, people you will meet and places you travel to, the lives you will touch. I almost did it before and Im so thankful that I didn’t do it, because If I did, I wouldn’t be living the life that I have now. Stay with us because life is beautiful. #KeepGoing

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A post shared by Nadine Lustre (@nadine) on Oct 12, 2017 at 6:56am PDT

Nadine also emphasized how important family and friends are when you’re going through depression. “I’m thankful that I’m blessed to have a strong heart and clear mind. Family who will always be my strength. Friends who will always pull me up. Love who will always guide me.” She also shared the beauty of accepting and recognizing weakness so that you can come out of your situation stronger and a better version of yourself. “It’s okay to be said. It’s okay to feel pain. It’s okay to be vulnerable.”

She also revealed the time in when she also felt so low, “I almost did it before and I’m so thankful that I didn’t do it, because If I did, I wouldn’t be living the life that I have now. Stay with us because life is beautiful. #KeepGoing ;”

A few hours later, she also wrote a message for her late brother, Isaiah, and posted with his photos from the beach. “I’m so proud of you,” she said as she shared her brother’s talent with writing. She thanked him for making her braver. “I know whatever challenge I will have to face, I will pull through because of you.” She thanked him for being her strength.

Im so proud of you. Never knew you had such talent with words. Im happy to have read all of your entries and discover that you have such a beautiful mind. Excited to read your scripts/stories soon. https://medium.com/isaiahlustre/latest I want to thank you for teaching everyone a very important lesson. Thank you for opening my eyes and making me braver. I know now that whatever challenge I will have to face, I will be able to pull through because of you. Im gonna miss your face and miss hearing your corny jokes. I wish you stayed with us longer. I am keeping my promise and we will still travel the world together. No more crying. Happy Birthday Dude. ? Joyeux voyage, je t’aime frère ♡

A post shared by Nadine Lustre (@nadine) on Oct 12, 2017 at 10:03am PDT

She ends with, “I wish you stayed with us longer. I am keeping your promise and we will still travel the world together. No more crying. Happy Birthday, Dude.”

Our condolences to you and your family, Nadine, and thank you for sharing your story.