Mercedes Milá, a prominent figure in Spanish media, became the central guest on the program ’59 segundos’ on Televisión Española, using the platform to discuss current affairs and politics, but notably to share a deeply personal struggle: her chronic depression. In a candid revelation, Mercedes Mila spoke openly about her ongoing battle with this condition, offering a rare glimpse into her personal life and mental health journey.
Mercedes Mila in ’59 segundos’ program, discussing her experience with chronic depression.
During a very sincere segment, Mercedes Mila, in an unprecedentedly frank manner, described her persistent depressive disorder. “The first blow was a terrible heartbreak, very hard, that I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” she confessed. She continued, acknowledging the commonality of such experiences, “It happens to many people, it’s okay. If you don’t have more, that’s where it stays.” However, Mercedes Mila explained that the situation becomes chronic when these episodes recur, as in her case, marking her ongoing confrontation with depression.
Mercedes Mila recounted her experiences to Gemma Nierga and Carlota Corredera, who listened attentively. “The second time caught me in the thick of ‘Gran Hermano’, supposedly from lack of sleep, they told me,” she shared, referencing her time as the presenter of the reality show. “Once you have it a third time, it’s already chronic, and that’s where I am,” Mercedes Mila concluded, highlighting the enduring nature of her condition.
Mercedes Mila alongside Carlota Corredera and Gemma Nierga on ’59 segundos’, sharing her personal story with chronic depression.
A Powerful Declaration on Mental Health
Driven by a desire to support others and raise awareness about the critical importance of mental health, Mercedes Mila detailed her feelings upon receiving her diagnosis and understanding its potential long-term effects. “The day they told me that I had a chronic illness and that, therefore, it could appear and disappear at many moments… It’s like a sword of Damocles hanging over your head all the time.” This metaphor vividly captured the unpredictable and looming presence of chronic depression in her life.
Mercedes Mila further articulated the physical sensation of an episode, “And you feel like a little dagger, like they are squeezing you, and you say: ‘it’s here again’”. She openly admitted that despite being on medication for her depression, there are times when “her pills have no effect.” Illustrating this point, Mercedes Mila shared an experience from the very day of the program, “Today I was thinking about that, they haven’t worked, and I have been crying like an idiot for many hours.” This raw honesty underscored the challenging reality of living with chronic depression, even with treatment.
Mercedes Mila, the journalist, pictured in a file photo, advocating for mental health awareness.
The Sense of Emptiness and Path to Solidarity
Mercedes Mila’s testimony resonated deeply, garnering significant praise on social media. Her candid disclosure served to highlight that individuals with depression often cry “out of sadness, out of melancholy, out of a sense of emptiness, of unhappiness,” even contemplating “that your whole life has been useless and that you have traveled a path that you see as black.” These powerful words painted a vivid picture of the profound emotional distress caused by depression.
Following these impactful statements, Mercedes Mila extended a message of solidarity, “I want them to understand me, to empathize with me, so that I can empathize with them.” She emphasized that the overwhelming negativity associated with depression is, in fact, “a lie.” Concluding her segment on a note of resilience, Mercedes Mila shared, “You wake up in the morning and you are Mercedes again. I will only tell you that today I had my eyes so swollen from crying that I had to put ice on them.” Her vulnerability and openness in sharing these personal details on national television have significantly contributed to the conversation around mental health and chronic depression.
