‘Bridgerton’ Star Ruby Barker Opens up About Her Mental Health Struggles

ruby barker

Ruby Barker, who portrays Marina Thompson Crane on Netflix’s popular show, said, “Sometimes you’ve just got to take a break.”

Barker, who portrays Lady Maria Crane (née Thompson) on the steamy Netflix hit, announced to her followers that she was being discharged from the hospital after being “really unwell for a really long time,” and urged viewers to be gentle with themselves if they are experiencing similar difficulties.

According to a video she shared on Instagram on Thursday, the Bridgerton star has been hospitalized after suffering from mental health difficulties.

“I am better, I have been really unwell for a really long time. I want to be honest with everyone. I have been struggling. I am in hospital at the minute and I am going to be discharged soon and hopefully get to continue with my life.”

 

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A post shared by Ruby Barker (@rubybarker)

She said, “I am going to take a little bit of a break for myself and I would encourage others, if you are struggling, do yourself a favour and take a break, stop being so hard on yourself. I just can’t do this right now. I need support.”

Barker continued that she does not want her diagnosis to become a self-fulfilling prediction.

“I want to survive, and I will survive,” she said. “I’m going to. And so are you.”

Despite declining to specify her particular diagnosis in the video, she committed to having a more in-depth discussion about her mental health in the near future.

Barker said, “You are all holding me up and holding me together.”

She credited Rhimes in particular for “rescuing” her as Marina, an unwed pregnant mother trying to provide a future for herself and her family.

Barker gave some advice to her supporters at the end of the video asking them to, “Be kind to yourself. Be gentle, but also learn and understand what that truly means.”

She then concluded the video by singing a section of “Waiting on a Better Day” by Sexton.

Barker also shared a tweet about destigmatizing mental health issues:

The actress was discharged from the hospital on Monday after receiving mental health treatment and again shared a video on Instagram.

In the said video, the actress seemed positive & thanked everyone for their support. She further said, she now feels less alone.

 

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A post shared by Ruby Barker (@rubybarker)

She said, “I can’t wait for the future, I’m doing ok for myself, I’m in a beautiful environment right now to take some time to myself and relax and breathe.” 

Barker further added, “Getting outdoors, going for walks, speaking to loved ones, trying not to ostracize yourself, that’s a really big step. If I have any advice for my younger self, I would just tell myself, ‘Listen, it’s not all doom and gloom, even when you hit rock bottom. “

She expressed gratitude to her fans, medical team, family, friends, Bridgerton Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes, and her social media followers for their support since she announced her choice to seek treatment in the hospital.

Let us know what are your thoughts about the importance of mental health awareness.

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Her fans have been supporting her throughout. Here’s a tweet from one of her fans:

Barker had previously stated how important her role in Bridgerton was to her. Marina Crane is said to have struggled with severe depression in To Sir Phillip With Love, the Julia Quinn novel on which Barker’s character is based, though the Netflix show has not yet reached that part of the story and could go in a different direction, as it has with several other book-based storylines.

Season 2 of Bridgerton is now available on Netflix, and the showrunners recently announced that season 3 will focus on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, with filming set to begin this summer.

Barker is not the only actress who came forward and talked about mental health illnesses. Earlier this year, Dwayne Johnson also revealed his struggles with depression.

Mental health issues have been on the rise lately and are a serious concern for people all around the world. Nearly one-fifth of the population (47.1 million) in the United States suffer from a mental illness. 

In comparison to the previous year’s report, this figure has risen by nearly 1.5 million. In the United States, about 10% of teenagers suffer from serious depression. The percentage of kids who identify as more than one race was the highest, at 12 percent.

Mental health is crucial at all stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. When one’s mental health starts to deteriorate, it’s time to seek medical care!

Preston Nolan

Hey there, I'm Preston Nolan – your guide to all things entertainment! From award shows to sports, gripping documentaries to nostalgic dramas, I'm here to share stories that captivate and inspire. Let's dive into a world where passion meets insight, and where every topic is a fascinating adventure!