Jameela Jamil’s mental health battle following struggle with insomnia

Jameela Jamil has opened up about her mental health battle following years of insomnia.

The 39-year-old said the struggle left her feeling “hopeless and bitter” as she revealed the extent it took on her.

Writing on Substak, the actress and body image advocate admitted that when she has been at her worst points, she even thought about ending her life.

“I would, without flinching, trade in all the success, money and adventures I’ve had to just be a good sleeper,” she wrote.

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“Insomnia is the absolute ghetto of the mind, body and soul.”

Jamil continued: “It is years of the loneliest, darkest and most despairing hours in the middle of the night… It’s a lower sex drive.

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Jamil added that it’s “hopelessness” and added that there have been times where you are just “desperate” for donuts all day, ”because you need some respite and consolation.”

She admitted that every “suicide attempt I have ever made was a result of just that few too many days in a row without a wink of sleep”.

“You lose your mind. You fully lose your grip on reality,” she continued.

“Hopelessness and bitterness takes hold of you and sinks into your marrow. Death feels undramatic, it just sounds like a nice big slumber. Your empathy reserves switch off.

“You don’t have the capability of thinking about how your actions will affect others. You convince yourself that it’s the only sensible option.”

Jamil has spoken openly about her mental health on social media including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

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In 2019 on World Mental Health Day Jamil said she survived a suicide attempt six years earlier.

Recently Jamil shared her choice not to become a mother saying it was “one of the best decisions she has ever made”.

“I just really, really don’t. I think one of the best decisions I’ve ever made is not to become a mother. I don’t think I’d be bad at it,” she said during an interview for The i Paper.

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“I just don’t want to do it. I’m beyond not compelled, I have absolutely no interest. I’m about as interested in that as I am rock climbing, and I think they both sound very hard and dangerous,” she added.

Jamil has been in a relationship with musician James Blake since 2015.

Jamil is on her way to Australia for a speaking tour later this month, she announced on Instagram.

“What kind of person would take a huge platform and not use it to do something, to change something, to help people,” the post read.

“Live in Australia, spend an evening with the trailblazing @jameelajamil —actor, writer, podcaster, and fearless activist—as she tackles the topics that shape our modern lives with her trademark candour, humour, and passion.”

The tour kicks off in Sydney on April 26 at the State Theatre followed by Brisbane on April 27 and QPAC Concert Hall and Melbourne on April 28 at Hamer Hall in Melbourne.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or visit Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Men’s Helpline on 1300 78 99 78. In the event of an emergency call Triple Zero (000).