Carrie Fisher’s poignant last words on mental illness should be read by everyone

2016 has claimed so many greats.

George Michael and Carrie Fisher both passed away suddenly in recent days and as is commonplace after someone dies, people discuss all that was great about them. We've learned of George Michael's generosity and how Carrie Fisher spoke about mental illness with so much bravery and understanding. On November 30th, less than a month before her death from a heart attack, the actress, writer and producer, penned a column in The Guardian giving advice to someone living with bipolar disorder. Carrie spoke of how she was diagnosed with bipolar when she was 24 but it took another four years before she accepted it. She also spoke of how she didn't find it easy to cope at times and praised the reader for their bravery in dealing with so much.

"The truth is, I’ve never done what it sounds like you’re doing: balancing school, home and work. I left home and school. So as difficult as it seems like it can be, you’re ahead of the game. You’re doing more than I did at your age, and that’s courageous".

She then went on to give encouragement and hope, with the below words, and no one could have known how poignant they would prove to be.

"You can let it all fall down and feel defeated and hopeless and that you’re done. But you reached out to me – that took courage. Now build on that. Move through those feelings and meet me on the other side. As your bipolar sister, I’ll be watching. Now get out there and show me and you what you can do".

You can read the article in full here.