Gemma Styles, the older sister of pop icon Harry Styles, has opened up about her battle with depression, which she faced not long after becoming a first-time parent. In a rare and revealing conversation, Gemma, 33, shared her experiences, hoping her story can resonate with and support others navigating similar challenges. Her candid reflections come on the heels of the release of her new book *Why Am I Like This?*—a project that she described as deeply personal, especially given her preference for privacy.
Despite her reserved nature, Gemma felt compelled to share her journey to contribute to mental health awareness and destigmatization. In an interview with *The Mirror*, she explained, “One of the things shown to have the most positive impact on people having suicidal thoughts or in the depths of depression is to share stories when you go, ‘That happened to me. I felt like that, and I feel better now.’” Her motivation stems from a desire to connect with others, allowing people in similar situations to feel less isolated and more hopeful about their futures.
Reflecting on her darkest moments, Gemma admitted that she reached a point where life felt almost unbearable. “I didn’t actively want to die but I so badly wanted to opt out of what my life had become; it boiled down to the same longing,” she revealed. At that time, she described feeling “hollow and unworthy,” emotions that many people struggling with depression may find all too familiar.
Today, Gemma is in a better mental space, though she acknowledges that healing is often a continuous process. “In the back of my mind, sometimes I think that could happen to me again, but I try not to dwell on it,” she said. “I have come through it before, and I could do it again.” Her remarks highlight both the challenges and the resilience inherent in managing mental health issues.
Becoming a mother has undoubtedly shaped Gemma’s outlook on life and mental health. She and her partner, Michal Miynowski, welcomed their daughter in February, making Gemma’s world more complex but also more filled with love. This milestone in her life also had a heartwarming impact on her famous brother Harry, who officially took on the role of “Uncle Harry.” Family, it seems, plays a significant role in Gemma’s support network.
In previous interviews, Gemma has shared how close she is to her brother and how he provides much-needed encouragement. In a conversation with *The Sunday Times*, she spoke about Harry’s dedication to his family, despite his demanding schedule as an international superstar. “He’s always there to give me a pep talk when I need it,” she noted. Moreover, Gemma emphasized that Harry is not just a rock for her but also a devoted and hands-on uncle who cherishes his niece.
Gemma’s relationship with her mother, Anne Twist, is also a vital source of strength. Anne’s “endless wisdom” and open approach to discussing mental health have been instrumental in helping Gemma navigate her struggles. This openness is something the entire Styles family shares, and it’s a value Gemma believes has positively influenced her own journey toward healing and self-acceptance.
Interestingly, Gemma’s experiences and her family’s support echo aspects of Harry’s own mental health journey. In a 2022 interview with *Better Homes & Gardens*, Harry disclosed that he had been in therapy for five years at that point. He, too, had initial reservations about seeking help. “I thought it meant that you were broken,” he confessed. The realization that therapy could help him unlock parts of himself he’d suppressed for years proved transformative. “I wanted to be the one who could say I didn’t need it,” Harry shared, before adding that therapy ultimately helped him “open up rooms in himself” that he hadn’t known existed.
Harry’s reflections were deeply personal, yet they align with the themes Gemma explores in her book. As he put it, “Accepting living, being happy, hurting in the extremes, that is the most alive you can be. Losing it crying, losing it laughing—there’s no way, I don’t think, to feel more alive than that.” His words serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing every aspect of life, even the painful moments, as part of the human experience.
Through their stories, both Gemma and Harry offer a window into their struggles, showing that even those who appear to have it all are not immune to challenges with mental health. By speaking out, they hope to foster a sense of solidarity and inspire others to seek support. Gemma’s book *Why Am I Like This?* serves as a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the strength that comes from connection and understanding. Her willingness to share her story, and the support of her loved ones, underscores that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach.