Janet Jackson Opens up About Her “Intense” Struggle With Depression: “Thankfully, I Found My Way Through It”

Something we’ve sadly learned over the past few months is that depression doesn’t discriminate. From Kate Spade to Anthony Bourdain, Hollywood’s elite are not exempt from this scary disease. That said, there’s always hope and fortunately, Janet Jackson’s struggle with depression is a prime example of that.

On Wednesday, June 20, a letter that Janet wrote for Essence magazine about her journey with mental illness was shared on Good Morning America. "I struggled with depression. The struggle was intense," the mother-of-one shared.

"Low self-esteem might be rooted in childhood feelings of inferiority. It could relate to failing to meet impossibly high standards," Janet continued. "And of course there are always the societal issues of racism and sexism. Put it all together and depression is a tenacious and scary condition. Thankfully, I found my way through it."

Janet continued that her son, Eissa Al Mana, is largely responsible for her ability to carry on. "The height of happiness is holding my baby son in my arms and hearing him coo, or when I look into his smiling eyes and watch him respond to my tenderness," the "Rhythm Nation" singer wrote. "When I kiss him. When I sing him softly to sleep. During those sacred times, happiness is everywhere."

Of course, that was hardly the first time Janet has gushed over her little boy. "My son, even in his short 17 months on the planet, has [shown] me that love, no matter how deeply you believe you have experienced that emotion, can always go deeper," Janet told Billboard in the magazine's May 19 issue. We’re so happy to see that Janet is living her best life! Domestic bliss most definitely suits Ms. Jackson.