Earlier this year, Wentworth Miller (the openly gay star of Prison Break, and – these days, DC’s superhero shows), was the target of an “internet meme” making fun of his body weight.
At the time, Wentworth picked up on that post – and wrote a powerful response to it. That response spread like wildfire all over the internet – and has now reached close to 80 million views. Today – Wentworth posted an emotional response to that extraordinary number.
In the original post, photos were shown of Wentworth during his Prison Break days – and from later on, when he gained some weight. His response back then, talked about the issue of mental health:
Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time. This one, however, stands out from the rest. First and foremost, I was suicidal.
This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about. But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.
His response touched many, as he’s revealing today:
At the bottom of the attached screenshot, just left of center, there’s a number. A number I get to see as administrator of this page.
I’m surprised too.
I can’t say why, exactly, that number is so high. No doubt it’s open to interpretation.
But I believe one of the reasons that post went where it went, and reached who it reached, was the need for more conversations about mental health. That more and more of us are choosing to share, comment, and speak.
To end the silence.
I’m so proud. Proud to be participating in this year’s Suicide Prevention Month. Proud of everyone who’s choosing to participate with me. In their own time and way. Whatever that looks like.
I’m grateful too. There are so many #warriors doing such brave work in so many places, offering support, advocacy, and amplification.
To all of them, I say thank you.
