Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland opens up about overcoming depression and suicidal thoughts

'I kept it to myself for months and months at a time'

(Getty Images for InStyle)

Sarah Hyland has opened up about her battle with depression following a succession of chronic health issues.

The Modern Family star spoke candidly about the health problems she has experienced over the past few years during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, explaining she has had a total of 16 surgeries in her life.

Hyland has kidney dysplasia, which means her kidneys didn’t fully develop at birth, and underwent a transplant for the condition in 2012.

However, the organ, which was donated by her father, was rejected years later, meaning she had to undergo dialysis and a second transplant in 2017.

Speaking to DeGeneres, the 28-year-old revealed that the chronic pain she experienced during this time lead to severe depression, causing her to contemplate suicide.

“I have an amazing job, an amazing support system, but … after 26, 27 years of just always being sick and being in chronic pain every single day, you don't know when you're going to have the next good day. It's really, really hard,” she recalled.

“I would write letters in my head to loved ones of why I did it and my reasoning behind it, how it was nobody's fault and I didn't want to write it down on paper because I didn't want anyone to find it because that's how serious I was.”

When asked by DeGeneres how close she came to taking her own life, Hyland said: “I was very, very, very, very close, yeah.”

The actor revealed that a turning point came when she finally spoke to someone about how she was feeling and decided to see a therapist.

“Just saying it out loud helped immensely because I kept it to myself for months and months at a time and saying it out loud really helped,” she explained.

“I didn't want anybody to know that I was that close because if they knew, they would try and persuade me.”

Hyland concluded by saying she hopes her story will encourage anyone experiencing anxiety or depression to seek help.

Ahead of the interview, Hyland wrote a post on Instagram urging people to tune in and listen to her “talk about some pretty vulnerable things”.

Fans quickly flooded the actor’s post with messages, calling her “brave” and thanking her for being so honest.

“Thank you for using your voice for those of us with chronic health conditions, chronic pain, depression, suicidal ideation. You are brave, an inspiration, and a life changer,” one person wrote.

Another added: “Thank you for sharing and being raw.You are helping so many people by using your platform to speak out.”

This isn’t the first time Hyland has spoken out about her experience. In a recent interview with Self magazine, the actor explained how she’s always had problems with her health and revealed that aged 21, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a chronic condition in which tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it.

For confidential support with mental health or suicidal feelings, you can contact The Samaritans on their free, 24-hour phone support by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.