‘I don’t look like I am sick but I am dying from grief, anxiety and so depressed’

Only 16 days into Mental Health Awareness Month, singer Brenda Mtambo courageously shared her personal struggles with mental health.

During the month many educate the public about mental health, with the aim to reduce the stigma and discrimination people with mental illness are often subjected to.

Brenda has been candid about her mental health hardships since the peak of Covid-19 in 2020.

On her 12-track album Sane, Brenda reflects on her transformative journey since taking up therapy and medication to deal with anxiety.

Her recent Instagram post had many friends and industry colleagues sending well wishes to her after she revealed her mental health was deteriorating and her grandmother’s death had triggered her.

“I know this is too much information. I am scared not talking is killing me,” she wrote.

“I don’t look like I am sick , but I am dying from grief, anxiety and so depressed. I wanted to heal away from the public but I work in the public and I have to show up the way I am showing up in these pictures. Losing my grandmother triggered me and the world feels empty. I have been thinking of going to hospital for help but I have two young kids who I can’t be away from for too long.”

Brenda said she was facing sleepless nights, and recalled how she broke down when she recently saw singer Buhle Bendalo at a shoot and she embraced her.

“I am experiencing grief but it is affecting my mental health. I know I can hide it and function very well. It feels like I need to be busy every day to deal with not feeling anything.”

Previously speaking to TshisaLIVE about her mental health journey, Brenda said she had sought help.

“Before I was diagnosed with anxiety, I was in flight mode, doing everything I was meant to do. Covid hit and I am faced with everything because I haven’t dealt with a lot of things. So after that trip to the hospital, that’s where I learned I needed help, as it was affecting my physical wellbeing.”