"˜Alaskan Bush People' Star Opens Up About Depression As Her Brother Enters Rehab

Celebrity | Television

"˜Alaskan Bush People' Star Opens Up About Depression As Her Brother Enters Rehab

Rain Brown - Instagram / Discovery

Even if you're not a die hard fan of Alaskan Bush People, you probably know that the Brown family have been through a lot.

While matriarch Ami's cancer battle attracted a lot of attention to the show, it was no plot.

She nearly died while fighting aggressive, late-stage lung cancer, and the Browns were forced to relocate from Alaska to Washington state for her health.

Alaskan Bush People
Discovery

Now, two of the Brown children are facing serious health struggles of their own.

Back To Rehab For Matt

Matt Brown, 36, Billy and Ami's oldest child, has been publicly battling addiction for years.

And after plenty of "ups and downs" for his family, Matt sadly revealed that he is heading to rehab for a second time seek help.

"I'm really grateful for everyone's support and hope to have my life back on track soon," Matt wrote in a message to fans.

The oldest Brown son's first stint in rehab came during the worst part of his mother's cancer struggle, in 2016.

At the time, Matt told people he had been spending too much time making "bad choices" with friends in Juneau, and "could see himself spiraling."

He also revealed that it was difficult to open up to his family about his addiction, because none of them drink.

"There was a lot of anxiety," he remembered.

"It took a couple days to work up the guts to tell my parents. But their support was unbelievable. It instantly made me feel better and like I could be successful on this journey."

The Brown family comes together to support Matt. If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse or mental...

Posted by Alaskan Bush People on Wednesday, September 26, 2018

And even today, Billy and Ami are still publicly supporting their son as he seeks treatment.

"It's hard not having one of my babies here with us," Ami told People.

"We miss him terribly," Billy added, "but we'd rather lose him from home for a little while than lose him forever. We just want him to do what he needs to do to get better."

A recent on set injury may have contributed to Matt's relapse. After a freak explosion caused a head injury, Matt had to be airlifted from the show's original Alaskan location to a hospital in Juneau.

Matt later explained he had been trying to make bear repellent from black powder when his mixture exploded.

"Don't let your depression or dark feelings try to make you feel bad."

While the oldest of the Brown children is in treatment for his personal issues, his younger sister is opening up about her own mental health.

Rain Brown, 15, previously opened up to fans about her everyday struggles living with depression.

While she described not even being able to get out of bed for days while battling her worst symptoms, Rain's message to fans was upbeat.

"Don't let your depression or dark feelings try to make you feel bad or people make you feel bad for doing what you know is right for you," she wrote.

View this post on Instagram

For the past few days I've been struggling with some things, such as my depression, life, and some teen girl probs too (ya know a broken nail😏💅🏻) and I couldn't figure out why I was in such bad shape I stayed in bed for about four days with minor aches and pains and I couldn't find out a reason, it bothered me so much, I lost any want to be healthy or motivational, I was just a husk, but just now in the middle of the night it occurred to me, sometimes you don't have to have a reason sometimes you don't have to be perfect and somedays you just feel like staying in bed and watching old @simplynailogical videos and that's OKAY! In the time of all this happening I told myself that over and over but it also hit me I had to actually believe it and just let it go and stop being bothered by it, I still feel kinda down and Like being lazy, but that's alright because my body knows what it needs and if that's rest I won't be one to refuse. Stay strong my rainbows and listen to your body and soul they know what you need, don't let your depression or dark feelings try to make you feel bad or people make you feel bad for doing what you know is right for you❤️🌈 Ps my mom gave me some panaway oil and now my aches feel so much better thanks mommy!!! #staystrong #stayhappy #momsrock #dailyquotes #rainspiration

A post shared by Rainy Brown (@heroofkirrkwell) on

In a message to her fans posted almost a year later, Rain is sharing her deepest feelings again, but still choosing to look on the bright side.

While working on the TV show, she explained, "I was also not taking a lot of time for my mental health, I got very caught up in the daily stresses and struggles of life and had no time to just be me, and I'm not gonna lie, I lost sight of my values, who I was, and who I wanted to be."

And Rain urged any fans grappling with similar emotions to go easy on themselves, and to trust their own emotions.

"If you find yourself overthinking, overwhelmed, and just plain stressed? Take a break," she wrote.

"Rebuild yourself, find yourself again and I promise you, you will come out better in the end."

View this post on Instagram

A little bit ago I was given a week off from work, I had been working almost non stop for about a year, I showed up on time I worked I laughed and I reluctantly took the weekends off, even though I was proud of how hard I was working I was also not taking a lot of time for my mental health, I got very caught up in the daily stresses and struggles of life and had no time to just be me, and I'm not gonna lie, I lost sight of my values, who I was, and who I wanted to be. I've spent the last week painting, cooking, cleaning, driving, hiking, eating, catching up with friends, and my favorite, spending time with the people I love. Standing here at the end of my week with a clear mind and a very full heart, I say. If you find yourself overthinking, overwhelmed, and just plain stressed? Take a break. Rebuild yourself, find yourself again and I promise you, you will come out better in the end ♥️ I love you all and God bless my lovely's #staystrong #stayhappy #R&R

A post shared by Rainy Brown (@heroofkirrkwell) on

Rain, who is no stranger to hurtful Instagram comments of all sorts, says that even her online bullies have made her a stronger person.

"Kind of a cool thing about [bullying] is that builds character," she explained. "I know I definitely wouldn't be as strong if I wasn't bullied."

If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse or mental health, please seek help by contacting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

[H/T: People, Country Living]

We're wishing both Matt and Rain Brown all the best.

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