Majella recently revealed she was hospitalised for ten weeks due to a bad episode of clinical depression, and says there is no shame in getting help for mental health issues
Patrick Kielty and Majella O’Donnell backstage at the Late Late Show(Image: Instagram/latelaterte)
Majella O’Donnell has won praise for her powerful and honest interview about her mental health struggles on Friday night’s Late Late Show.
Last month Majella, who is the wife of country music star Daniel O’Donnell, revealed she was hospitalised for ten weeks due to mental health issues.
She has suffered with depression since her late teens and has taken anti-depressants since her mid 30s.
And while Majella knows depression never goes away, she is normally able to get herself “out of a rut” but unfortunately returned to “that dark old place” in 2024.
Her GP recommended she visit a psychiatric hospital, and while Majella was initially scared, she soon realised it was the best place for her to be.
“I was in for ten weeks altogether, which surprised me. I didn’t think I’d be there that long at all,” she told host Patrick Kielty.
“But it took me five weeks to even phone Daniel – my own husband. I sent a text [to her family] saying, ‘I love you all, but I have nothing to say, so please give me time to try to come back to life again’.
“I had no joy in my own life. I had no joy in my grandchildren and my children, which is a terrible thing to say.”
For the first couple of weeks Majella struggled, and couldn’t cope with people recognising her as Daniel’s wife.
But gradually, she started to feel better and after ten weeks felt ready to come home.
Majella said: “It was wonderful, the people who were in there with me were just really down to earth, normal people. Slowly, slowly the strength started to come back.
“I was the one who said, ‘I’m ready to go now. I actually feel a little bit of excitement about life again’, which I hadn’t felt for a long time.
“I felt like I want to live, I want to go out and enjoy my family.”
Majella also took the opportunity to offer advice to people watching at home going through a similar situation, and tell them there is no shame in suffering from mental health issues.
She said: “All I can say to people at home is if you have any struggles with your mental health, and I’m talking purely about my experience, everybody else’s might be different, but for my experience it was so worth doing, and if you are that person who is feeling really, really low, go to your GP.
“There is no shame in it, and that’s why I’m happy to talk about it.
“It’s not my fault. Yes I was in a psychiatric hospital, yes I was, and it fixed me and that’s okay.
“Don’t ever, ever feel shameful about it. I’m saying it to you all out there. Never feel ashamed for having mental health problems, because we’re only human.”
Social media was alight with praise for Majella and her honesty.
“Majella was amazing and so strong to speak about her illness,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“What an incredible interview, she’s just inspirational and so genuine, wishing Majella the very best,” a second shared.
A third fan commented: “What a lady Majella is. So honest about her struggles with her mental health. She is truly an inspiration to many with her courage and resilience. Wishing you Health and happiness for the future.”
A fourth remarked: “Lovely interview indeed, very informative and insightful, looking forward to her getting back to herself again and continue with her good health. “
And a fifth commented: “Majella you were amazing I admire the way you spoke about your illness . I am sure you have helped so many people . Good health for the future.”
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.