‘Schitt’s Creek’ Star Annie Murphy, 34, Gets Real About Depression; Why It’s Okay to Talk About It

The Emmy award-winning actress, who is now starring in the series Kevin Can F**k Himself on AMC, flew home to Canada after shooting on the new show was delayed because of the pandemic. Murphy became an overnight star when her former series, Schitt’s Creek, took the world by storm.

Related: Actor-Turned-Mental-Health-Advocate Russell Brand, 45, Faced Addiction, Depression and Grew Up Affected by Cancer; His Mother is a Six-Time Survivor

At home, things weren’t going well. “My mom was like, ‘You’re crying 12 times a day hysterically, to the point where your teeth are chattering. That’s not normal,’ ” she told The Zoe Report, and says that she was diagnosed with depression shortly after. “I was like, ‘Damn it, I’m depressed.'”

After an exhilarating run of Schitt’s Creek, her depression started during the show’s farewell tour in early 2020.

 

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She said she could barely perform. “I think I have a big dose of my dad’s Irish melancholy,” she shared, with her signature dose of realness and humor.

"A lot of people are going to think that I sound like I’m playing a tiny violin for myself," she said. "'Oh, you’re rich and famous. Why the f— are you sad? You have nothing to be sad about. But I’m not going to post photos of me covered in my own snot, lying on the floor, unable to get up. I don’t want people to have to see that.”

 

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The star is an advocate for anti-depressants, which may not be for everyone, but in her particular state, she and her doctor felt she needed them. Now she is feeling a “sense of resilience.”

"I do not cry every single day on the floor 12 times,” she said. “I am able to focus on other things in my life.”

Related: Actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, 22, from Hulu's 'Normal People' Urges People Battling Cancer to 'Get the Support You Need'

“Now, honestly, if a friend’s like, 'I’m having a really hard time,' I’m like, 'Get on drugs. Get on drugs!'” added Murphy. “You don’t have to be on drugs for the whole time, but they truly, truly saved my life in the sense that I was not a functional human being and I was able to be a functional human being."

Related: Actress Reese Witherspoon Reminds That No Matter How Many Times You Fall, 'Pick Yourself Up Again'

It’s safe to say the pandemic was tough for nearly everyone, particularly cancer patients, but if anything, it has helped reduce the stigma of mental health, as it has made it collectively more acceptable to talk about hard times. Letting out emotions can be scary, as many people worry if they’ll be judged or called “crazy,” but it can be beneficial in your healing process to not hold things in, especially during a cancer journey.

The Power of Support

A little support can go a long way. People going through cancer need the comfort of knowing their friends, loved ones and community are there for them as much as (if not more than) their doctors. It takes a village, as they say.

Ovarian cancer survivor Kelly Sargent was seeking support after moving to Texas from Chicago, and thankfully it came back tenfold.

"When I was diagnosed, as soon as I got in the hospital, I started going online to find not only information, but also support groups, stories from survivors, anything that I could find as far as my treatment I definitely looked for," she tells SurvivorNet.

Related: Actress Olivia Munn Says 'Just Being There Can Be Enough' For People Struggling

"I have met some incredible people in San Antonio. Coming here not knowing anyone, I've been blessed with having met some incredible ladies. I have an incredible set of friends that I met after my diagnosis through a Bible study group that have become very, very close friends of mine that are an incredible part of my support system. That support from those ladies has been life-changing for me."

The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients

SurvivorNet is Always Here

For those of you out there who may find it difficult to ask for help, SurvivorNet is a place that you can always visit if you are feeling alone. We have hundreds of videos from other people like you talking about their cancer journey, not to mention videos from some of the top doctors at the country's best cancer institutes who can give you medical advice. You can see their faces, hear their words, and we will hopefully give you the hope, knowledge, and comfort that you are seeking. Although it's best to talk to your own support group and doctor, we know that having a resource to go to is vital in getting through some tougher days.

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