MANILA, Philippines – Actor-singer Janno Gibbs revealed he suffered from depression.
In an interview with GMA-7's news magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” aired Sunday, Janno said: “Matagal nang nababalita yun. I have to admit, I kept on denying it kapag tinanong ako. I'm saying it now na, yes, dumaan ako sa ganun.”
The admission came less than a week after the death of Hollywood comedian Robin Williams, who suffered from depression.
Janno said his depression “wasn't that serious” but it was “enough for me to seek help.”
“Dumaan ako sa period na talagang malayo from my usual. I didn't like to go out, I didn't like what I saw in the mirror. Ayokong magtrabaho,” the GMA-7 talent said.
Janno said he believes his weight gain was one of the reasons for his depression.
Aside from seeking professional help, Janno said his family served as his “support group” while he was battling depression.
“Malaking bagay yun I'm lucky kasi I have a family that supports me—my wife, my kids, my parents. Support talaga, solid,” he said.
Saying he's in better shape now, Janno believes there is a lack of understanding among Filipinos when it comes to depression and other mental illnesses.
"Ewan ko kung kulang sa awareness or, also feeling ko like me, nagde-deny ako noon kasi parang nakakahiya. It's not in our culture. As atin, parang it's either, 'Naku, may tama ka,' or 'Arte lang yan."
He added: “Behind the camera, ibang usapan na yun. Buhay na e, totoong buhay na. It's a real condition, it's a medical condition. It can happen to the best of us.”
According to a report by the Associate Press, a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that comedians are both highly extroverted and highly introverted and that they even show lower levels of traits associated with psychosis.