Michelle Williams opens up about decades-long battle with depression | Nightline 

she always had that detached look, like she was there but not 100% present. Not surprised with this diagnosis and happy she got help. I can see the difference. She seems alive now.

Depression is no joke. There are plenty of "functional," successful people with depression.

So glad she’s able to talk about mental health, sometimes it has nothing to do with circumstance. It’s a lot deeper.

It makes me think about the gross things people would comment about her as a being. I really hope this allows individuals to start looking deep at themselves

She doesn’t know but she speaks for so many of us..,, I can definitely relate.

She slayed masked singer. I'm glad she is doing better. She is a real icon.

“After all of the darkness and sadness soon comes happiness, If I surround myself with positive things I'll gain prosperity” Your words mean so much to me Michelle! Thanks for speaking out on this daily struggle.

Depression doesn’t care what social economic class you’re in. The only thing money does help with getting the treatment that you need. You can afford the doctors and the medications. Money definitely doesn’t make you immune to depression.

Depression doesn’t care if you’re a Grammy winner, top chart holder,beautiful or talented. So proud of her addressing this issue plaguing our community.

She’s my favorite destiny’s child member 😢

Years of being bullied by people on the internet, clowned for not be the “ fav “ of DC, neglected and finding her way through it all, NOW EVERYONE WANT TO BE HER FRIEND. That is the world for you.

I always thought she was and is incredibly beautiful but I felt she seemed sad. I’m glad she has her faith and therapy. She is a great influence.

Thank you Michelle for your transparency 🙏🏽

I'm happy to see Michelle is doing well. ❤❤❤

Going thru my own battles of depression. I surprised she made it on stage most nights

I think she has a beautiful soul

I'm sure the way people picked at her in the group didn't help. That's why I try my best not to pick at others because you never know what someone is going through.

Depression sucks. If anyone going through depression keep your head up and seek healing.

She’s more beautiful than before I love my people

“...the weight just felt so much more comfortable than the healing.“ That‘s a statement a lot of people with depression can relate to.

“The weight felt so much comfortable than healing” WOW

For everyone discussing depression to be a self inflicting illness; you’re definitely wrong. It can be passed down generation to generation and it can also happen because of a neurological issue. It’s not as easy to pick yourself up and try again, unless you get the proper help. Stay blessed and get the help you deserve

So thankful that this young lady is doing well now, fame & fortune doesn’t bring happiness, depression is an illness, I’ve been there myself, life can be a struggle, so many ups & downs, some people are too ashamed to open about this subject and are even in denial about needing professional help, she is to be commended & appreciated for her openness, not an easy thing to do!

That was so beautiful to watch. “Cemented in my purpose… and on a mission to help as many people as I can.” Michelle is so inspiring

She is so brave , her story will help many , I'm glad she is in a good place in her life.God is Good.

And it’s hard because she was in the spotlight. Depression can affect anyone. Going through this when she was so young and being a celebrity must have made it even harder. Because she was also coming into her own during this time.

I'm thankful for your story Michelle. Yes, you are still here! I went through the same things for years during my teenage days. Depression hurts, its heavy, but with help you HEAL. Michelle your brave story is healing people and that is a tremendous inspiration. The best is yet to come!

"...and the weight just felt more comfortable than healing." Depression in a nutshell.

When they say what comes around goes around...she was a running gag on the internet and now everyone's gonna pretend they weren't part of the abuse. Or at least completely indifferent.

I love seeing my fellow black sisters and brothers speaking and being so open about mental health. ❤️ u michelle

Aww Michelle don't cry ...i love her and im so proud of her for this and everything else she has done

Hearing her talking about this hits home for me a family member of mine who went to a dark place and never came out r.i.p

This was a good interview.

I can sense that she still hasn’t told her whole story.

Michelle is such a strong person and I’m glad she opened up and shared what she went through to help someone out there.

I've had the same feeling lingering for many many years. Never really seeked out help for it because my family taught me that speaking to a psychiatrist meant I was crazy. I wish I never listened from the very beginning because at the end of the day it's me and me alone that really knows the pain I'm dealing with on a daily basis.

I met her once and she was very kind

I’m proud of you Michelle for getting help ! You are worthy . I love how you are using your story yo help others . So many people suffer and don’t seek help till it’s too late , then they are gone . Thank you !

she maybe feeling crappy on this inside, but she looks like a living doll on the outside. good she's much better these days! um sure its a everyday struggle.

When I was dealing with a bad breakup and the loss of my father to cancer, her album, especially the song "Heard a Word" helped me heal and gain a sense of comfort that kept me from depression related to my grief and loss.

Makes me sad ( but not at all surprised ) that Matthew basically told her she didn’t have a reason to be depressed because of where her career was with Destiny’s child . The first misconception of depression is that you need a reason . It’s a chemical imbalance in the brain that will be there wether you’re sitting on an island with a billion dollars or sitting at work living on minimum wage

I love you Michelle! Please get better! You deserve to be here!

She's so BRAVE!!

So proud of you Michele. Thanks for your bravery in choosing to be vulnerable and honest. Your honesty is bringing hope and healing to many like me!

God bless her...I know the feeling I wasn't diagnosed with my mental condition until my 30's as well🙏🏾

Alot of my family members suffer from depression

Brave deeds change lives as do kind gestures. You are brave beyond words. The universe rewards the Brave. Australia.

That pit is real. I was in it and did not realize that it was depression until I first heard the description of being in a pit.

Thank you so much for opening up.

I wish I could get over my depression but is so hard 😥

Michele you are such an inspiration. So many people handle this on their own and in private. Thank you for sharing your story. I cannot wait to read your book.

I pray she continues to fight and thrive. This world is a struggle.

Thank you for sharing your story Ms. Williams, very prove and great interview Mrs. Drebra!

Beautiful interview.

The destiny child clips are so nostalgic🥰

During the time I met Michelle at a Houston stage play, she was very poise and despite her interpersonal adversities, she remain open and caring to others. She is a strong individual. Ja Drama

What a beautiful and strong woman. Thank you Michelle for sharing your story. I hope she releases music, her voice is so full of soul it’s like warm honey. Best wishes and healing ✨

Thank you so much for sharing this. ❤

🙏🏽God is Great

I appreciate her bravery and her power to be vulnerable and know there was so no DC-3 without Michelle Williams ❤

Go Michelle! Thank you

I identify with so much in this story. Michelle speaking on this is so important especially for individuals who live high profile lives. People say / think "you have it all" or "your so successful" how could you be depressed? What many don't understand is that people in this category often suffer the most. Imagine needing help but being afraid to ask for it or access it because if you do it will be exploited for media attention and "likes". I am happy to see mental health being amplified and that we are normalizing being honest and uplifting others continually. You are brave Michelle - You are here - Keep inspiring - I can definitely say you have touched me ❤💐

I admire her courage. ☺️🙌🏾🕊

Thank you for sharing!!!❤️🧸

Brave and beautiful soul. Keep speaking. ❤️

Thank you for sharing your story Michelle 🙏

She sounds stronger, praying her success 🙏🏽

Hi Michelle, I you ever read this one day : I love you and I thank you for opening up. Your voice has helped me since I was 9 and even more today (30 y.o.). Your testimony is everything, espacially in our community and as you are a legend of high performance. I am lucky and blessed to have you. To anyone reading this, you are not alone. Reach out for me if you need to. Let's stay hard

Thank you sister, God bless you ♡

what a beautiful soul x

She had a lot of pressure on her shoulders, and that whole stupid poor Michelle stuff. That would make me feel down too. She's a God given talent and is a power house of a vocalist 🙏💜

Thank you for sharing, so beautiful and brave!! You are not alone❤❤❤

I appreciate this interview!!

Love you Michelle! Thanks for being open and helping to end stigma

I literally love Michelle so much!! Plus, her book is AMAZING

I always felt bad for her because I feel like she didn't get the recognition the other girls got and she was always just considered the girl from destiny's child and not getting the respect she deserved i mean she was one of the hardest working girls on destiny child and she still didn't get the respect she deserved hope she does better in the future

I love Michelle!!! Great singer, excellent actress and she's beautiful. Glad she got the help she needed.

Thank you for sharing Michelle.

Wow.....amazing how we can be in the public eye and keep that smile and no one knows our depressions underneath for years....all because we carry it all so well. ❤

Wow this is awesome. Michelle so insightful. Thanks for sharing 👍

I always liked Michelle . She seems really chill and humble

Definantly appreciate her sharing this and being open. Because she didn't have to.

We needed this QUEEN ✊🏿🙏🏿👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Thanks Michelle. This interview means a great deal to me.

Thank almighty she’s sharing and getting help.

Ain’t no feeling like being FREE!! I love you girl stay beautiful 😘

So glad she is healing....prayers her way.

What a great and brave woman. I am happy that she is fine now. Such an inspiration for everyone

Love you Michelle! I’m so glad you’re alive and taking up space in the world. And thanks for sharing your story, you brave woman, you! ❤️

Glad that you're feeling better, stay blessed and take it one day at time.I have a wonderful Dr you save me,depression is not something to joke about. 👍to you for taking charge of your life..

Much love to you Michelle ♥️🙌🏽 Gratitude for sharing

This is chilling!😔

Thank you so much for your honesty Michelle . Please show yourself lots of daily kindness and the self care you spoke about. All the very best sweetheart . xoxo

God bless you Michelle. Love you 🙏🙏

Mental Health is everything. So happy she shared.

Girl I feel you 100% I struggle on and off all the time

The sentence I wanted to hear " am on a purpose in wanting to help someone else" the power of sharing is the healing!

I feel exactly like this

Great interview.

Not surprised at all. She has always seemed like she wasn't really in the moment. I think this truth goes even deeper. I'm glad she got help.