In a heartfelt Weibo post on January 1st, popular Chinese actress Zhao Lusi bravely shared her struggles with mental health and the haunting memories of physical abuse she endured. This revelation follows a concerning incident where she was spotted in a wheelchair at a hospital, raising alarms about her health following a rigorous filming schedule for her latest drama.

Recent weeks have seen Zhao's health journey unfold on social media, where videos showcased her challenging recovery. Viewers witnessed her grappling with basic motor functions, underscoring the gravity of her condition. Amidst this turbulence, a friend of Zhao's anonymously revealed allegations of severe abuse by staff at her agency back in 2019, further complicating her narrative of pain.

In her poignant post, Zhao disclosed that the roots of her despair trace back to 2019 when she first experienced the crushing weight of depression. She recounted, “I faced skepticism when I opened up: people would say, 'Stop making a big deal out of it' or 'Just think positively, and everything will be fine.' I started to believe I was being overly dramatic and ignored the severity of my condition.

Zhao detailed a series of physical ailments that plagued her throughout the years—pneumonia, hearing loss, hives, nausea, and persistent neck pain—which she believes were exacerbated by her emotional turmoil. The loss of loved ones and a barrage of cancer diagnoses within her family added layers of grief, compelling her to suppress her own suffering.

Reflecting on her experiences of abuse, she described a childhood filled with torment, fundamentally shaped by the words of others. "People called me a 'useless vase', and during after-school tutoring, I was beaten in the teacher's dormitory. I was conditioned to believe that harsh punishment was a reflection of my failures," she confided.

As an adult, the cycle of violence continued, with her suffering repeated beatings for failed auditions. "I grew used to carrying my burdens alone, believing that seeking help was a sign of weakness," she remarked, revealing the depth of her isolation during these formative years.

Zhao made it abundantly clear that mental health struggles are not just minor issues that can be brushed off with positivity or platitudes. “Depression is a legitimate illness, not something that can simply be 'fixed' by thinking happy thoughts,” she emphasized.

Her post concluded on a hopeful note, expressing gratitude to those who supported her and reflecting on the profound strength she has found in love. "Because of love, I’ve found the will to live again. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year filled with joy and peace," she wrote, inspiring many with her candor.

Zhao Lusi’s bold admission is a clarion call for greater awareness around mental health and the ongoing fight against abuse, highlighting the importance of support, empathy, and understanding in a world where so many suffer in silence.