Pakistani actress Hania Amir recently sent out an important message about prioritising and protecting your mental health. And she wants you to know that it is okay if you’re not always okay.

“Having an honest moment here. Not doing too well these days tbh. Haven’t been feeling good for some time now. Some days I get distracted and have an okay day and some days there’s a grey cloud following me,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

She added that the issue could have been addressed in private, but she had grown up with her followers.

“And yes this could’ve been dealt with privately but I genuinely feel like we have grown up together on this platform; from my dubsmash to films to dramas (reel and real) to random videos and updates on my life, I’ve tried to be as real as I could be with all of you. But recently I felt like I’m not being honest.”

Nothing to worry about. I’m doing everything I can to get back to health but I just wanted to come here and tell you that it is alright to have dark days. It does get better. I know sometimes it feels like there’s only darkness at the end of the tunnel. I get it. You just need to tell yourself that you deserve happiness and you need to take charge, ask for help from the people around you and seek a professional.

She went on to say that there is no shame in talking about mental health or asking for help.

“It gets better when you give yourself love and care and a break, that’s what I’ve learnt from the last time I had to deal with it,” she wrote.

“Hopefully inshAllah I’ll feel better soon. But till then I don’t want to put up a facade of being okay. And neither should you. It’s too exhausting,” she said.

She said that discussing mental health can ‘reduce stigma, promote understanding, and encourage people to seek support when needed.’

“Please ask for help when you need it. You’re not in this alone,” she said.

“And if there’s any advice for me or anyone going through depression please tell us in the comments. The smallest beam of hope and warmth can help.”