Everyone is sharing this Dublin man's moving video about his battle with depression

Doug Leddin felt he was living 'a double life'.

Thu, 14 Apr, 2016 - 12:14

Ciara Flaherty

A Dublin man has made an incredibly powerful video detailing his struggle with depression.

Doug Leddin posted the video last night and it has since been watched over 380,000 times.

In the clip, the 27 year old opens up about his 10 year battle with mental illness and the ‘double life’ he felt he was leading, putting on a brave face for friends and family.

He uploaded the video to Facebook and YouTube last night and it has provoked a massive response with over 8,000 shares and almost 20,000 likes.

But most importantly, it’s been flooded with hundreds of messages of support and understanding as well as opening up a discussion on the way mental health is treated in Ireland.

“What a brave young man. You nailed it on the head. I cried as I could see your honesty and your hurt come thru on your face. I wish you peace every night and thank you for your bravery.”

”Thank you!! Having lived with a diagnosis of bi-polar myself for the last 13 years I really only accepted it lately. I've realised it's who I am, it has made me the person I am and I will not be ashamed or afraid to tell anyone I have it. I finally actually like me! I have great friends and people in my life who are really supportive and I couldn't get through some days without them. It's ok! Break the silence and speak up.”

“It's about that we all speak up about depression and other mental health issues .People have suffered long enough in silence .Im so proud Doug that you have shared your suffering with us .I wish you all the best for your future .Thanks”

And here’s Doug’s post on what motivated him to make the video:

“It's not often I post something too serious on Social Media and I'm not sure this is the right thing to do and to be honest i'm nervous as hell writing this status but I hope it helps others and I hope you can share this if you think it will help someone.

There is something I have wanted to get off my chest for a long time, 10 years in fact. This will come as a surprise to some of my closest friends who I just couldn't talk to for fear of losing them or not being accepted.

But after a lot of thought and consideration I decided to make a video to lift this burden off my shoulders and to share my experiences with you.

I'm talking about depression and it’s something we all need to talk more about, for too long people have suffered in silence and it’s not right and as hard as it is to talk about it, it genuinely does help. Im not saying that by opening up to your friends, family, colleagues or even teammates that it will make everything ok, but it will certainly help.

To my best friends I have to say sorry, sorry for not having the courage to do this sooner.

To my family, thank you for the support over the past 10 years.

I'm now 27 and in a much better place in my life. I have spent years in and out of doctors, John of Gods and various other places getting help since the age of 16. It was a dark place and I suffered alone and I shouldn't have. The past year have been much better and i'm thankfully in a place now that I feel comfortable sharing this and although I wish it didn't take me this long to open up it did and I cant change that but hopefully I can encourage a few others to do the same.

I suppose the reason I'm doing this is to try encourage others to speak about their mental health issues with family, friends or even organisations.

If you think this could help someone please feel free to share it.

Together we can beat the stigma associated with mental health, an issue that is on the rise with people of our generation.

Just remember you are not alone!”

If anyone needs to talk to anyone there are plenty of organisations out there that can help:

Console Ireland

Pieta House, Preventing Suicide and Self Harm

SpunOut.ie

Aware

Reach Out Ireland

Samaritans Ireland

A Lust For Life