Muscle model’s strength to deal with depression

A woman who survived a suicide attempt has produced a short documentary about her experiences with depression and anxiety to help improve people’s mental health.

Adel Murphy, the creator and subject of Path to Acceptance, said: “This documentary is a very personal story of mine.

“It is without a doubt the most powerful, emotional and uplifting project I have ever done in my life.”

The 38-year-old, who lives in Tovil, has been visiting schools and organisations across Kent speaking about her mental health battle. The self-funded film provides extra support for people struggling with their mental health. During her childhood and young adult life, Adel was bullied about her height but never spoke to anyone about her troubles.

It wasn’t until later in life, when she saw her sister being resuscitated, that her mental health reached its lowest point. Coupled with her father’s cancer diagnosis, the fitness enthusiast could no longer cope and attempted to take her own life.

In the short film she bravely said: “It took me a long time to accept that I needed help but once I did, that is when I started to move forward and heal.”

One way in which the motivational speaker improved her wellbeing was through exercise and she began hosting fitness classes and providing personal training sessions to help others.

After moving to the UK from Dublin, her goal was to become a muscle model, competing in UK, European and World championships. She placed top at her first competition in 2017.

The film, available on Youtube, aims to spread Adel’s message and reach as many people as possible.

She said: “I truly believe the documentary is very powerful for schools and organisations to utilise and try to help inspire more people to be part of a community where they don’t feel excluded.”

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.