Riverdale star Lili Reinhart is speaking out during Mental Health Awareness Month to discuss her own battle with depression and how she has been able to find light within darkness.
The actress went on what she classified as a “little Twitter rant” on Saturday, the same day in which marked a year since her hit CW series was picked up for a full season. Reinhart expressed gratitude for the Archie Comics-based show, saying it saved her life.
“I cried tears of joy. In that moment I became a working actress with a steady job. Something I had been working towards for 7 years,” the 20-year-old shared. “And now here we are, gearing up to film season 2. And I could not be more grateful. Riverdale came into my life when I was going through the worst depression I had ever experienced. And in the end it completely saved me.”
Through persistence and dedication, Reinhart was able to work through the hardships. “And when I’m feeling depressed or sad, I remind myself how far I’ve come. And how I didn’t let my depression consume me,” she continued. “To anyone out there who feels depressed or hopeless… do not f—ing give up on yourself. You’re all you’ve got. And you deserve the world. Your mental health should be your priority. Don’t forget that. This is your life.. and you’ve only got one. So don’t waste it by being sad.”
“You will get through whatever you’re going through now. And you’ll be so much stronger at the end of it. You’re stronger than you know.” Reinhart concluded, “I felt the need to put some love out into the world today. I encourage you to do the same.”
Exactly one year ago today, we found out that Riverdale was getting picked up for an entire season. I remember how I felt when I found out..
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
I cried tears of joy. In that moment I became a working actress with a steady job. Something I had been working towards for 7 years…
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
And now here we are, gearing up to film season 2. And I could not be more grateful.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
Riverdale came into my life when I was going through the worst depression I had ever experienced. And in the end it completely saved me.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
Since it's mental health awareness month, I figured it would be good to share that. I worked my ass off to make a living out of what I love
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
And when I'm feeling depressed or sad, I remind myself how far I've come. And how I didn't let my depression consume me…
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
To anyone out there who feels depressed or hopeless… do not fucking give up on yourself. You're all you've got. And you deserve the world
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
Your mental health should be your priority. Don't forget that. This is your life.. and you've only got one. So don't waste it by being sad
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
You will get through whatever you're going through now. And you'll be so much stronger at the end of it. You're stronger than you know.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
I guess that ends my little rant. But I felt the need to put some love out into the world today. I encourage you to do the same ??
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 13, 2017
Though her moment of triumph was certainly inspiration for all, Reinhart still faced backlash from critics over the mental health tweets as many claimed she minimized the mood disorder. The following day, the actress followed up with an additional mini rant, unapologetic for her previous words.
“I in no way meant that depressed people should ‘stop being sad,’” she explained. “I’ve dealt with depression my whole f—ing life, so obviously I know that. I’m saying find yourself some help. And don’t wait for things to change. You have to go out and get that for yourself.”
We applaud Lili for using her platform to positively address this issue.
You can read her full explanation below.
Apparently everything I say is going to be taken the wrong way from this point on in my life. Which is disheartening that people want
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
To make me a villain. So no… I in no way meant that depressed people should just "stop being sad."
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
I've dealt with depression my whole fucking life so obviously I know that. I'm saying find yourself some help. And don't wait for things
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
To change. You have to go out and get that for yourself. You have to find your own happiness and be willing to get better
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
And that's what I did when I moved to LA for the second time, trying to follow my dream. I was proactive about changing my life.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
And if people want to twist my words around or say that I'm an idiot or have bad intentions, then okay. Fine. But I'm not going to
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
Don't like what I have to say? I don't fucking care. I'm going to talk about mental health and my own experience with depression whether
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
I have your permission or not.
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) May 14, 2017
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