Michelle Williams Offers Encouraging Words For Anyone Suffering From Depression, Inspires Us With Her Strength
Sometimes it seems like celebrities have it all – and that assumption is part of the pressure and stress many privately face.
Former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams is hoping her current mental struggle will eventually have the silver lining of being able to help others.
The singer shared a message on Instagram this past weekend, thanking fans for their support after she sought treatment for mental health concerns.
Williams signed herself into a mental health facility two weeks ago and is now taking the time to acknowledge her support network and use her own experience to remind friends, family and fans to take care of themselves. “You have to do the work even when you’re tired and feel the heaviness. Take one step at a time! Don’t overwhelm yourself,” she wrote.
“I had no plans of what I was going through being public BUT now that it is I have a made an even BIGGER commitment to the mental health awareness area,” she wrote on Instagram. “So many people are suffering, hurting, hopeless, lost and don’t see a way out but there is.”
"For years I have dedicated myself to increasing awareness of mental health and empowering people to recognize when it’s time to seek help, support and guidance from those that love and care for your wellbeing,” she wrote in another Instagram post on July 17. “I recently listened to the same advice I have given to thousands around the world and sought help from a great team of healthcare professionals.”
Williams has a lot going on in her life right now that's pretty exciting. She's engaged to pastor Chad Johnson, who she mentioned in her Instagram post has been “awesome” since she decided to get help.
“It wasn’t until my 30s that I knew what to call it,” Williams told Women’s Health in October 2017. “I thought it was growing pains — I thought that was simply how it felt to be a girl growing into a woman.”
We'd never wish any suffering on Michelle Williams, but we're so grateful she's using this moment in her life to care for herself, and to help others learn to take care of themselves as well.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.