Bray Wyatt Opens Up About "Losing Himself"

On the happy occasion of the announcement of his new son's birth, Bray Wyatt has taken the opportunity to talk about his past mental health issues, revealing some insight into how low he got in the recent past.

As well as offering a war cry on his intentions to "be something great", Wyatt used an emotionally charged Instagram post to say he will now refuse to "dumb [himself] down to people that think [he's] crazy". There seems to be an allusion in there to judgement from some corners concerning his mental health.

The message was posted with images of newborn son Knash Sixx, daughters Cadyn, Kendyl and JoJo, who gave birth ahead of schedule and hints at some dark times for Bray:

"This won’t be some BS motivational message, I don’t believe in that. Words are just words unless you can feel them and I feel these. I lost myself a couple years ago, I never wanted to hurt but I quit on myself. I felt like I wanted to cease completely. Until I realized that mental illness isn’t a weakness it’s a superpower. I am clear now, focused, and ready to be something great. I’m done trying to dumb myself down to people that think I’m “crazy”, and do whatever it takes to repay all the people that Love me and make me feel “normal “. This is for you, everything from now on is for you. To everyone in the way: I wish you good luck, when my mind is firing on all cylinders I am the best at what I do. I have never been better than I am right now. And I only care for those who were helped dig me out of the dirt. Run. I love you JoJo, Mom, Cadyn, Kendyl, Knash. Ever after is because of you."

Talking about mental health issues matters and it's great to see Wyatt feeling strong enough to talk about losing himself. While it's a deeply personal story, it's the kind of thing - particularly from someone in his position - that helps inspire others to come forward. He has no duty of care nor any responsibility to fans who struggle, of course, but it's a huge thing for people to see this sort of thing if it helps them talk themselves. So more power to him.

If you feel like you need to talk to someone about your own mental health, call the Samaritans on 116-123.