Trigger Warning: Attempted suicide
Inamin ni Maureen Wroblewitz na dumanas siya ng mental health issue sa edad na 13 taong gulang.
Si Maureen ay Miss Universe Philippines 2021 first runner up at Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 5 winner noong 2017.
Sa kanyang Instagram post nitong September 6, 2023, ibinahagi ni Maureen ang litrato niya noong siya ay teenager na kuha ilang buwan bago ang pagtangka niyang wakasan ang sariling buhay.
"After losing my Mom at the age of 11 and experiencing more of life's difficulties soon after, I had slowly started losing faith in myself.
"I didn't want to burden anyone with my problems but I also was too ashamed of them. I knew something was wrong but I wanted to hide that for as long as I could.
"It wasn't until one blurry night and suddenly I was exposed," balik-tanaw ng 25-year-old model.
Ang nakababata raw niyang kapatid ang nakakita sa kanya sa isang "vulnerable situation" at agad daw itong nagsabi sa kanilang ama tungkol dito.
Kung hindi raw dahil sa kanyang kapatid, "I don't know if I would be here today."
Read: Mental health watch: What to do when someone shows signs of contemplating suicide
ON FINDING HER PURPOSE
Sumailalim daw siya sa ilang therapy sessions.
Pero ang turning point para kay Maureen ay nang regaluhan siya ng ama ng librong Life Without Limits na isinulat ni Nick Vujicic.
Si Nick ay isang Serbian-born Australian-American Christian na ipinanganak na walang arms at legs, ngunit nahanap ang kanyang life purpose sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalaganap ng salita ng Diyos.
Sa kanyang libro, ibinahagi ni Nick ang journey kung paano niya nahanap ito sa kabila ng kapansanan.
Dito raw nagbago ang pananaw ni Maureen sa buhay.
Lahad niya: "Nick's story had made me realize that at just 13, I hadn't even seen the world yet.
"I didn't know what was yet to happen, and I thought 'What if I do become someone in this lifetime?' 'What if I get to inspire people with my story?' 'What if I'm meant for something bigger?'
"From then on I knew I had to make my dreams a reality, I knew I couldn't hide in my darkness forever.
"I was convinced that telling my story was my purpose and that I had to work hard so I could become someone that I'm proud of."
ON LIVING HER DREAM
Nagkatotoo naman daw ang pangarap ni Maureen.
Nagsimula ang karera niya sa pagbukas ng fashion blog na itinago pa raw niya noon sa mga kaeskuwela "out of fear of being judged."
Makalipas ang isang taon ay nadiskubre raw siya ng kanyang "momager," at makalipas ang tatlong taon ay napasok niya ang mundo ng modelling sa Pilipinas.
Kalaunan ay sumalang din siya sa pag-aartista at beauty pageant.
Nagpasalamat din si Maureen sa mga taong tumulong sa kanyang maabot ang mga pangarap niya.
Read: Maureen Wroblewitz, tipid ang sagot tungkol sa bagong BF na si Noah Steinbuch at ex na si JK Labajo
ON TOUCHING THE LIFE OF EVEN JUST ONE PERSON
Kung noon ay hindi pa niya alam kung paano ibahagi ang kanyang mental health struggles, ngayon ay natutunan daw ni Maureen na ang kailangan niya lang gawin ay "to speak my truth."
Kung may isa man lang daw siyang ma-inspire sa kanyang kuwento ay sapat na kay Maureen.
Sabi niya, "Depression is still a constant battle for me but I am no longer afraid to ask for help.
"I see my therapist every month, I have motivational calls with my momager and I have the support of my family and boyfriend."
Ipinagmalaki ni Maureen na higit sa kanyang achievements, masaya siyang mayroon na siyang tapang para ilaban ang kanyang pinaniniwalaan.
Sa huli, sabi niya, "I'm glad I didn't give up on myself. I now know that I am truly meant for something bigger."