Speaking the truth and overcoming depression

Phoebe Simcock, 27th Oct 2021
Tags: Life Blog Depression Mental health

This week we celebrate a Guyanese born British actress who has charmed us with roles such as Shuri in ‘Black Panther’ and the ‘Avengers’ series and Reb in ‘Ready Player One’.She is open about her mental health and her faith in the hope that others will also find a guide in difficult times.

She is only 27, but with awards such as the ‘Rising Star Award’ and ‘Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture’ it’s no surprise that she is an inspiration to so many. With that, let’s find out more about the amazing Letitia Wright.  

Letitia Michelle Wright was born on the 31st of October 1993 in Georgetown. She moved to London at 7 years old and performed in school plays until she attended the Identity School of Acting at the age of 16. 

Her breakthrough role in ‘Black Panther’.

She said her desire to become an actress came from watching an inspiring performance from Keke Palmer in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’. Starting with small roles, Letitia soon was recognised as one of the ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ and her breakthrough role in ‘Black Panther’ solidifies her as a memorable and exciting person to watch.  

Wright appeared in ‘The Convert’ in 2018, a play set in the 18th century about a missionary and the training of African people to speak Victorian English and engage in Christianity. Wright received a very strong and complimentary reception for her performance, and this production is an absolute staple for education this Black History Month.  

Letitia is very open about her struggles with mental health and at one point felt inclined to give up on acting as an escape. She told Vanity Fair that she first experienced depression at the age of 20, and felt like she was in a very dark place struggling in the lonely world of fame. She attended a London actors’ Bible study meeting and from this she realised that she had found a saviour.  

God made you and you're important.

She credits her faith in helping her to overcome her depression, and referenced this in her speech at the Baftas in 2019. She says, "The only thing that pulled me out of it was God, my belief, my faith and my family” and "I want to encourage young people. You don't have to be young, you can be any age, but I want to encourage you - anyone going through a hard time... God made you and you're important, there might be some of you here who might be going through a hard time”. 

She used a large event like the Baftas to speak proudly about her faith, and honestly about her depression. By using her platform to expose these truths she inspires others to stand up and be honest about the best and worst parts of their life.  

We can receive support when we need it most.

Letitia Wright worked hard to become the actor that she is today, and uses her platform to discuss matters that are important to her. She is not ashamed of her faith or her struggles with mental health and it’s so beneficial to be able to talk openly about these topics. We can all learn from Letitia, and speak up when we feel strongly about something so that we can receive support when we need it most.