Afrosoul and jazz musician Brenda Mtambo has opened up about her mental health issues.
In an interview with Independent Media Lifestyle earlier this year, Mtambo spoke about suffering from anxiety and depression from time to time.
She said she had been doing well and had stopped taking medication, choosing exercise and mini holidays without her kids as a way to cope instead.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, October 16, the award-winning musician has opened up about her mental health struggles returning.
In a lengthy post, she detailed how her grandmother’s death has triggered her condition.
“My mental health is deteriorating … I know this is too much information, I am scared not talking is killing me. I don’t look like I am sick I know, but I am dying from grief, anxiety and so depressed,” she said.
She added that she “wanted to heal away from the public” but couldn’t do so because she is in the public eye.
“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 that I can’t be away from for too long.”
The singer said that she struggles to sleep and easily breaks down into tears.
“I am experiencing grief but it is affecting my mental health, and I know it can be so polished from outside, I know I can hide it so well too, not hide it but I can function very well, it feels like I need to be busy every day to deal with not feeling anything. There you have it, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’,” she ended.
Messages of support flooded the comments section from many Mzansi A-listers as well as Mtambo’s fans.
Seasoned broadcaster Melanie Bala commented: “Oh sis. How awful to feel you must find a balance between showing up and wanting to hide. Please take care of your self - for you, for your babies. We’ll be here when you return ❤️.”
South African model, television personality and beauty queen, Zizo Tshwete, wrote: “Thank you for sharing your heart. You deserve the help that you need. Allow yourself to receive it, sis. We are holding you up in prayers and sending Love ❤️.”
Singer Buhle Mda said: “@lootlove2 posted something so powerful namhlanje about Grief. There's a line ethi ‘Grief is love with no place to go’ you just took one big step in creating umsele for that love to flow back to you. Thank you for telling your truth Queen. I love you dearly.”