Woman receives overwhelming support after candidly sharing struggle with depression

A content creator received the love she deserves after sharing her mental health struggles on social media.

Known online as @collette.alexandria, 28-year-old Collette Grimes shared a candid view of her life, documenting the transformation of her cluttered apartment.

This raw journey gave her followers an authentic look at the challenges of living with a mental health condition.

In her video “clean my depression apartment with me,” Collette gives a straightforward look at her cluttered living space, filled with unwashed dishes and laundry.

Since posting it on Instagram on September 8, the video has gained over 6.7 million views.

While she typically shares upbeat lifestyle content from her stylish East Coast apartment, this video highlights her authenticity.

“After getting laid off from my dream job, I fell into a deep depression,” Collette, who lives with her Chihuahua, told Newsweek.

She faced many moments of doubt, especially with the rising cost of living, when she felt she might not get by.

Fearing the loss of her apartment, she let clutter accumulate to assert her presence in her home.

“I was unemployed for nearly 11 months and honestly had given up on taking care of myself and my surroundings,” she shared.

Her honest portrayal of young adulthood with depression connected with viewers globally, even from her stylish apartment with a skyline view.

Her openness to her mental health struggles has offered comfort and validation, especially within the Black community, who valued seeing a Black female content creator share her journey.

The comments section was filled with supportive messages, highlighting the importance of Collette’s message and its positive effect on her audience.

“As someone with debilitating depressive episodes, content like this makes me feel less alone,” one viewer, @noplantpro, said. “Thank you for being vulnerable and honest. Be strong. Keep surviving. You’re inspiring!”

Another @paigerubin added: “The fact that I can only find positive comments, not an ounce of hate or judgment — I love. Nature is healing.”

“Thank you for being so vulnerable. As a young black woman living alone with depression, I feel really seen,” a third viewer, @theloveglitch, shared.

Even with more conversations about mental health struggles on social media, the focus often remains on influencers, luxury goods, and celebrities.

Collette notes that social media rewards carefully curated images. People naturally want to share their successes instead of their struggles.

As a result, constantly seeing others’ achievements can make individuals feel inferior during their own tough times.

She observes a change in the mental health conversation as more influencers and celebrities share their stories.

However, she feels there is still not enough content for everyday people facing similar challenges.

She stresses the need for relatable content that reflects the struggle of managing mental health while juggling 9-to-5 jobs and daily responsibilities.

Collette points out that social media often focuses on luxury lifestyles while society encourages people to hide their emotions and prioritize work.

She believes that being more open and honest with one another could lead to positive change.

Her video illustrates not just the act of cleaning but also the emotional journey of reclaiming her space and regaining control amid her mental health struggles.

This short clip connects with many viewers, as it highlights a common struggle that is often left unspoken: the paralysis of depression that can lead to neglecting oneself and one’s environment.

“I was secretly hoping no one would watch the video, so to see my video reach and inspire so many people is genuinely more than I could imagine,” she said.

“It’s beyond heartwarming and it also feels good to know that I’m not alone in my struggles.

Here’s what you can do when a loved one is severely depressed:

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com or 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741, calling 1-800-985-5990, or texting “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.