Until All Are Found<\/a>, she reflected on the experiences that shaped her mental health struggles, including bullying, trauma and what she described as toxicity during her childhood. <\/p>\nMbatha said these experiences eventually developed into depression and anxiety, with her mental health deteriorating to the point where she repeatedly tried to end her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna start where I was about to take my life,\u201d she said, revealing that she had struggled with suicidal thoughts for about two years. \u201cMind you, this is probably at the height of my career, \u2019cause I got Isithembiso, and I thought\u2026 knowing that I\u2019m supposed to be happy just didn\u2019t help at all, \u2019cause I was supposed to be happy, but I wasn\u2019t happy.\u201d <\/p>\n
It was during one of those dark moments when Mbatha said she experienced a profound spiritual encounter. As she contemplated taking her own life, she said she felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to cry out to God one final time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cried out to Jesus. I was like, Lord, you can see that I\u2019m in great pain. I\u2019m not happy. My life is just a mess,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n
The actor said she then experienced what she describes as an encounter with Jesus, who reassured her that she would be okay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that you\u2019re suffering right now, and I can see everything that you\u2019re going through. But I cannot take it away from you right now, because I need to use it. But you will be okay,\u201d she recalled hearing.<\/p>\n
While her depression did not disappear overnight, Mbatha said the encounter gave her something she had been missing: hope. However, she continued to struggle with what she described as \u201cfunctioning depression\u201d before her anxiety intensified several years later.<\/p>\n
The actor said she began experiencing panic attacks in various situations, including while driving in traffic, in confined spaces and even at the hair salon. Eventually, she found her current church, where she said she continued to experience panic attacks even during services.<\/p>\n
Later, when her church announced a baptism, she immediately felt that it was what she needed to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just knew in my heart that after I get baptised, I will no longer suffer with anxiety and depression,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I went into that water, it\u2019s like I died in that water, and when I came up, I came out a new creation.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Mbatha, the change she experienced after her baptism was profound.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince that day, since I got baptised, I haven\u2019t had suicidal thoughts. I haven\u2019t had panic attacks,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been set free from anxiety and depression.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know needs help, The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) can be reached at 0800 21 22 23 or 0800 456 789 (24 hours, 7 days a week).<\/p>\n
READ | Vinyl vitality: How Zakes Bantwini swaps \u2018work mode\u2019 for music, family and real rest<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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![\"Nandi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled_design_-_2026-09-04t103053.009.jpeg\")
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