Alden Richards says he hit 'rock bottom' in 2024: 'That was depression at its finest'
Alden Richards opened up about a difficult time he experienced in 2024 when he was faced with serious mental health struggles.
In an interview with entertainment reporter Nelson Canlas on 24 Oras, the actor discussed how he neglected to prioritize his well-being last year, causing him to hit "rock bottom."
"I think last year was my lowest year. Rock bottom. It took me six months to get over that. Hindi naman siya clinically diagnosed, but that was depression at its finest. That was depression," he said.
"Ang galing nga eh, hindi lang halata. Before kasi, hindi ko siya kayang pag-usapan kasi hirap ako eh. Ayoko magpakita ng weakness," he added.
According to him, his excessive generosity towards other people became a factor in his struggle.
"Inuuna ko muna lahat ng tao bago sarili ko," Richards said. "But last year, I think that was my breaking point kasi minsan ‘di ba tayo, we always go out of our way to help other people. Tulong, tulong, tulong. Bigay, bigay, bigay. Ang nangyari sa'kin, paglingon ko don sa timba ko, wala na palang natira sa'kin, and then that broke me [into] a million pieces."
He continued, "Alam mong meron kang mga kasama. Alam mong nandyan 'yung mga taong nagmamahal sa'yo, pero hindi mo maproseso nang tama 'yung emosyon mo, hindi mo maproseso nang tama 'yung pag-iisip mo—it’s very hard to be present na kahit nandito ka, wala ka dito."
In order to escape from being "clouded with negative thoughts," Richards turned his attention to various recreational activities such as running and biking.
Elsewhere in the conversation, the local star was also asked about his relationship status, to which he dismissed the topic as he didn't want to be defined by his love life.
"Hindi ko gets bakit ganun ang mindset natin palagi na ang basis ng kasiyahan ng isang tao eh love life," Richards said.
"It’s just this is my story, and this is how I want my story to be told, not based on the presumption of other people. I’m so done with that. I’ve been here long enough. I know I’ve done so much for the industry, and I would like to do more for the industry right now," he added.
Richards previously expressed his excitement at becoming a pilot as he revealed that an aviation school had reached out to him to offer him a scholarship. On top of that, he is also busying himself with directing and producing his own film.
