"I have survived": Paulo Avelino reveals his fight against depression

MANILA – Paulo Avelino, who has kept much of his private life over the years, surprised supporters Thursday by opening for the first time about his depression, to the point of trying to suicide.

The actor, aged 31, has sought to "let go of his thoughts" on Twitter, where he has 2.2 million followers, and remembered having lost a close friend of suicide , before revealing that he had already tried to do the same.

"I'll leave that to the universe because I promised not to keep feelings heavy for me. One of my closest [friends] "He committed suicide last year and no one saw him coming," he began.

Avelino described his friend as a "man opposite": "Very often, I called him late in the evening, he felt so low and he traveled miles just to keep me company and Make sure I was good on my right. mental state to continue [on] with life, constantly reminding me of how privileged I am in relation to many people. "

The friend, he told him, also reminded him that "I had to see my son grow up", referring to his only son with his former partner, actress LJ Reyes.

Without giving any details, Avelino then admitted that "a few years ago, I tried (attempted) to commit suicide."

A few years ago, I tried (attempted) to commit suicide. I have survived. Nobody really knew it except my closest friends and he was one of them.

– Paulo Avelino (@mepauloavelino) July 31, 2019

"I have survived.Nobody really knew it except my closest friends and he was one of them … He was shifting shift with a friend to stay with me at the same time. And even when I went out, just to make sure I was not stupid enough to do it again, "he said.

"Then it happened," he wrote, referring to the death of his friend.

"All the time, I needed the support of my friends, they were there. I was selfish. I asked the time and part of their emotional state to follow mine, "said Avelino.

Avelino continued, but this time addressing his late friend, "I saw him coming. This message you sent the night before your death, I made fun of it.

"All these messages and times that I have asked in a selfish way are now regrets and baggage that I would carry all my life. Thank you! I hope you rest peacefully. I live because of the hope and wisdom that you have etched in me.

A year has passed since he lost his friend, shared Avelino, and "here I am at 5 am, wondering if a few minutes of my lost time job would change or even save a life .

Editor's note:

In the Philippines, a group is dedicated to those who have suicidal tendencies. The emergency phone lines of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation aim to make these people believe that someone is ready to listen to them.

These are their hotline numbers:

(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917 558 hope (4673)
2919 (free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers)