Michelle Obama talks about mental health issues during Covid

“Depression is understandable under these circumstances, during these times,” she said in an interview with People magazine. “To think that somehow we can just continue to rise above all the shock, trauma, and upheaval we’ve been through without feeling it that way is just unrealistic.”

Last summer, Obama revealed on her podcast that she suffered from “low-grade depression” at the height of the pandemic, racial reckoning in the United States, and political strife.

For the cover story of the issue, Obama told People magazine that she “had to recognize what I was going through, because often times we feel that we have to cover that part of ourselves, that we always have to rise to the top. on top and look like we’re not paddling hard underwater. “

“We’ve had the ongoing murder of black men at the hands of the police. Just seeing the video of George Floyd, going through those eight minutes. It’s a lot to face, not to mention being in your mid-40s. “she said.

Obama also told People magazine that she had been vaccinated against Covid-19.

“I encourage everyone to get vaccinated whenever they have the chance,” she said.

The former first lady also said the pandemic allowed her and former President Barack Obama to forge a stronger relationship with their two daughters as they quarantined themselves at their home.

“These times have been difficult. Lots of people struggled: lost jobs, hungry people, ”she told People. “We have learned to count our blessings, the importance of health and family.”