Ruby Barker, widely known for playing Marina Thompson in Bridgerton, spoke candidly with her fans about her mental health and past struggles.
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Earlier this week, before being discharged from the hospital where she’s been receiving treatment, Ruby uploaded a nearly 6-minute long video to Instagram updating fans on what’s been going on in her life — “I am better. I’ve been really unwell for a really long time.”
“I just want to be honest with everybody, I have been struggling,” Ruby said. “So, I’m in the hospital at the minute, I’m gonna get discharged soon and hopefully get to continue with my life and I’m gonna take a little bit of a break from myself.”
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“It’s mad out here. It’s mad. Sometimes you just have to take a break and you’ve got to say, ‘I can’t do this right now. I need support.’ That’s basically where’ve I’ve got to. I haven’t hit rock bottom. I’m on new heights.”
Ruby insisted that the linguistics and conversation around mental health needs to change to ensure more people feel comfortable enough to share their experiences.
She remembers being “rage-filled,” “frustrated,” and “angry” with the weight of “intergenerational trauma” on her back.
“I have a diagnosis,” Ruby added. “I am relinquishing myself and forgiving myself, and drawing a line in the sand. I can’t carry on the way that I’ve been carrying on. I need to change, so that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Ruby was very appreciative of the people that stood beside her. She thanked Netflix and Shonda Rhimes for “saving” her and giving her an opportunity.
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She also thanked Sexton’s music for bringing her out of “the pits,” her best friends for being supportive, her mentor, and her fans.
At the time, Ruby admitted that she felt “so alone,” harboring so much “frustration and pain” from her past and where she comes from.
“I cannot wait to fulfill all of my engagements and to have a good career and a good life. Because I do not want my diagnosis to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
“I want to survive and I will survive, and I’m going to. And so are you. That’s the beauty of it, so are you. If you’re with me, you’re in good hands. Thank you.”
Ruby concluded her video by reminding her fans — and anyone in need of the message — to not be so hard on themselves. Ultimately, she sealed the video with a kiss and said her goodbyes.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline is 1-888-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; GoodTherapy.org is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy.
