Michelle Obama ‘doing just fine’ after opening up about ‘low-grade depression’

A day after revealing she was experiencing “low-grade depression”, Michelle Obama has reassured fans she is “doing just fine”.

On Thursday, the former First Lady shared a black-and-white photo on Instagram that showed her journaling and a lengthy caption in which she thanked everyone for checking on her before offering words of support for anyone dealing with mental health problems.

“I just wanted to check in with you all because a lot of you have been checking in on me after hearing this week’s podcast,” she wrote in the caption.

“First things first — I’m doing just fine. There’s no reason to worry about me. Like I said in that conversation with @Michele__Norris, I’m thinking about the folks out there risking themselves for the rest of us — the doctors and nurses and essential workers of all kinds. I’m thinking about the teachers and students and parents who are just trying to figure out school for the fall. I’m thinking about the people out there protesting and organising for a little more justice in our country.”

She continued: “The idea that what this country is going through shouldn’t have any effect on us—that we all should just feel OK all the time — that just doesn’t feel real to me.

“So I hope you all are allowing yourselves to feel whatever it is you’re feeling. I hope you’re listening to yourselves and taking a moment to reflect on everything that’s coming at us, and what you might be able to do about it.”

The Becoming author concluded the post by thanking her followers for their support and encouraging them to check in on their family and friends who might be feeling similarly.

“And to all of you who’ve reached out — thank you. I hope you’re also reaching out to all those you’re closest with, not just with a text, but maybe with a call or a video chat,” she wrote.

“Don’t be afraid to offer them a shoulder to lean on, or to ask for one yourself. Love you all.”

The post comes after Ms Obama opened up about experiencing “low-grade depression” in the latest episode of her new podcast, the Michelle Obama Podcast.

During the episode, Ms Obama spoke with her friend, journalist Michele Norris, about the heaviness that the pandemic, civil unrest and current political administration have had on them.

“There have been periods throughout this quarantine where I just have felt too low,” she said, adding that her sleep and exercise schedule had been off during the last few months.

Ms Obama continued: “You know, I’ve gone through those emotional highs and lows that I think everybody feels, where you just don’t feel yourself.

“I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression. Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting.”

The 56-year-old also opened up about how the Black Lives Matter protests, which were prompted by the killing of George Floyd, and president Donald Trump’s handling of racial injustice in the US have impacted her well-being.

“I'd be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we're seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest that has plagued this country since its birth,” she said, adding that it is “exhausting” waking up to “the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanised or hurt or killed or falsely accused of something”.

She added: “It has led to a weight that I haven't felt in my life, in a while.”

If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support: mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk, samaritans.org.

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