Mikel Campos opens up about mental health struggles
Mikel Campos on going through counseling sessions with a family priest and building a relationship with the Lord: “All of the conversations I would have with Him are very emotional. Whenever things go down, and I don’t know where I am anymore again, at least I have that spirituality to hold on to.” Seen above is a photo of Mikel at Summit Media headquarters (left) and screenshots of his acting stint in Let’s Go (right)
Trigger warning: attempted suicide, depression
Mikel Campos, 38, revealed that he was struggling with mental health issues even before he joined show business when he was 16.
He said it was one of the reasons why he had a hard time adjusting to the demands of being in the limelight.
A former teen star, Mikel starred in youth-oriented shows such as Click (2002-2003), Sarah The Teen Princess (2004), Qpids (2005), and Let’s Go (2006).
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Mikel said he was only a teenager when he was clinically diagnosed with manic depression.
According to Mikel, his doctor defined it as a “mood disorder, leaning to severe depression.”
It is said to be a lifelong condition that can be managed by following a treatment plan and seeking therapy.
Mikel told PEP: “Before show business, I already had problems dealing with my emotions. With even my anger.
“That turned into manic depression. When I was in showbiz, lumalala na siya.
“I actually went to a couple of psychiatrists who diagnosed me with ADHD, dyslexia, and all those things.”
He had difficulty opening up about his mental health issues, which during his teenage years was not as openly talked about as it is now.
Fearing judgment from his peers, Mikel kept it to himself and whenever he was in front of others, he acted like his condition didn’t exist.
“And, you know, when I mentioned these things to my friends, you know, at that time, they didn’t seem to know what I was talking about or what I’m trying to explain to them.
“So, yeah. After portraying someone else on screen, I have to portray someone else off-cam who is in control of what he does and what he says.
“It was really hard because that’s not me.”
The more he wanted to fit in, the more he felt awkward around stars his age.
You know, I’m an awkward guy.
“Na parang, you know, I’d like to try and relate my own experiences or myself with my co-stars.
“But looking back on how I did it, dun ko lang na-realize, ‘Ay sh*t, ang weird ko.
Pinagbibigyan na ako ng mga ito.'”
Recalling a time when he tried so hard to fit in, Mikel said he attempted to join an all-boys group.
“They have a group. So, you know, I wanted to be part of the group. I was still starting out. I was still fresh.
“Siyempre, gusto kong magmarunong or whatever, so sasali ako sa kanila.
“But, ayun. I get my butt handed to me.”
In hindsight, Mikel pointed out how the rejections contributed to his low self-esteem and inability to cope with his mental condition.
“I guess, it also added to my insecurities that, you know, I was trying to fit in.
“I was seen as the guy who they’d just rather not talk to.”
Click Batch 3 stars: Jake Cuenca, Railey Valeroso, JC De Vera, Mikel Campos, and Valerie Concepcion
PHOTO/S: CTTO
This made it harder for Mikel to acknowledge his depression.
He explained: “And because of that, I stigmatized my own personality. How I’m going to carry myself was affected.
“So I would rather not say things anymore or do things anymore.
“I guess now medyo sensitive na tayo. Back then, it was so hard.
“And I dealt with that sort of situation, of not being able to let myself express things in a very negative way.
“And, you know, that kind of depression was something that made me want to make attempts on my own life, which I did, a couple of times.”
MIKEL ON DEALING WITH A LIFELONG CONDITION
Mikel went on to say that he went through a dark phase in his life during his 20s.
But with the help of medical professionals and a good support system, Mikel said he made the decision to start fresh in his 30s.
“This depression is still something that I’m sort of stuck with now. I’m still dealing with it.
“I’m still dealing with how to manage my disappointments, my emotions, things like that. My anger.
“Yes, I’ve seen a lot of people, you know, professionals who tried to help me out.”
While his struggle with mental health continues, Mikel is optimistic that he can deal with it by learning to accept his limitations and surrounding himself with people who genuinely care for him.
“It’s a lifelong struggle that I’m going to be this way. That I’m going to be carrying this much, or feeling this much, or caring this much. I’m not sure.
“But I know now that it’s just because of my insecurities and how I’ve not been able to become the person, you know, the ideal person that people want me to be and things like that.
“All that pressure of life from your friends, from your family, I dealt with it in a very different way.
“That was really not helpful. It was self-destructive.”
Mikel Campos with Joem Bascon in Let’s Go
PHOTO/S: SCREENGRAB FROM JEEPNEY TV
MIKEL ON HOW HIS FAITH HELPS HIM DEAL WITH HIS ISSUES
On the brighter side, Mikel told PEP that he has come to terms with his condition and is able to live life with a healthier mindset.
Aside from seeing mental health professionals, Mikel said he also took counseling sessions with a family priest .
On building a relationship with the Lord, he said: “I still have maintained a sort of relationship with Him. All of the conversations I would have with Him are very emotional.
“At least I have that. And at least, I know that He would understand in there.
“Whenever things go down, and I don’t know where I am anymore again, at least I have that spirituality to hold on to.
“It’s been helping me sort of figure out how to sort of assess myself in another perspective.”
He underlined the need to seek counseling and professional help because if he would sort out his feelings by himself, he really wouldn’t be able to get better.
As for starting anew, Mikel was able to finish his degree in Communications at Thames International in 2020.
Currently, Mikel is working as a real-estate agent for Robinsons Land Corporation.
