Gabrielle Union is opening up about her battle with PTSD.
The actress teamed up with the Child Mind Institute for their 2nd annual #MyYoungerSelf campaign, where celebrities, athletes, and various stars share their own experiences with mental illness.
Union, who currently stars in Breaking In, opened up about battling mental illness following sexual assault. The actress was raped at gunpoint when she was 19. Union has been outspoken about the incident and has used her platform to inspire other survivors.
In a video for the Child Mind Institute’s campaign, Union says she didn’t want PTSD to stop her from continuing to live her life. “I didn’t let it stop me. I didn’t want it to define my whole life and it doesn’t have to. Asking for help, needing help, doesn’t make you weak or less worthy of love or support or success. You can be anything you want to be.”
The Child Mind Institute will share a new story every day featuring a celebrity speaking to their younger self in an effort to destigmatize mental illness and learning disabilities.
You can find out more about the Child Mind Institute and #MyYoungerSelf campaign at https://childmind.org/.