Arielle Kebbel Reflects on Sister Julias Psychotic Break, Disappearance

Julia Kebbel is still recovering from her two-week disappearance this winter, as are her family members, including UnREAL alum Arielle Kebbel.

Arielle told reporters about her sister’s current status when the actress attended the Women Making History Awards in Beverly Hills on Saturday, September 15.

“I don’t know that OK is the right word, but she’s alive, and she’s well, and I’m so thankful,” the 33-year-old said. “She is so committed to her mental health, and I’m so proud of her.”

Nothing will change until we SPEAK UP as loudly as we can as often as we can as honestly as we can… . I took this pic on a sunny day last August…mere hours before being rushed to the ER , where I stabilized, then transferred to a locked psych unit. I had attempted to end my own life. Earlier that same day I had gotten my hair done (hence this shameless selfie) before attending a friend’s birthday party. . My point is that everything looked fine on the outside. And we never truly know what another person is going thru on the inside…right? That’s true in my case & the cases of countless others…we hide our feelings, hide our illness, due to fear. We’re so afraid because of the stigma that exists around mental illness, I believe we can change that. If we as individuals & communities listen & also speak up, I believe we CAN change the status quo. I believe we CAN grow to live more connected lives where we DO look out for one another. Where we DO encourage open & honest communication without backlash. Where we DO create safe space to talk openly about these mental health issues so many of us face!! Where we DO teach our children that it’s OK to not be OK…& that it’s not only OK to ask for help: It’s BRAVE. That it’s NOT a moral failing, it’s a disease. A disease that does not discriminate & can/does affect ANYONE. . If you are currently suffering, I know it can feel like the most lonely place on earth, but you are not alone. There is help & a way out of the darkness. Don’t suffer in silence. You deserve to get help (just as I deserved to get help!) YOU deserve to be here. We ALL do. 💛🧡❤️💚💙💜 . Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK. . #anthonybourdain #katespade #suicide #suicideprevention #bethechange #speakup #fightstigma #curestigma #endthestigma #mystoryisnotoveryet #mentalillness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthwarrior #depression #bipolar #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #itsoknottobeok #youarenotalone #thereishelp @namicommunicate @dbsalliance #icare @projsemicolon #semicolonproject #projectsemicolon

A post shared by Julia Kebbel (@jkebbz) on Jun 8, 2018 at 11:44am PDT

Julia went missing while walking her dog in Los Angeles at the end of January. Two weeks later, Arielle told Instagram followers her sister and the dog had both been found safe. She posted a message from Julia in March, in which Julia said she has bipolar disorder and suffered a “severe episode” which led to a “psychotic break from reality.”

In the ensuing months, Julia has become an advocate for mental health awareness. “Anyone can follow her on @JKebbz on Instagram,” Arielle said on Saturday. “She is really promoting fighting the [stigma]. This month, September, is Suicide Prevention Month. She’s really speaking out about that. As her sister, I’m just so proud of the fact that she’s turning something that was so scary into something so positive.”

The Fifty Shades Freed actress also revealed her family is still on the mend following the traumatic episode. “We’re still healing,” she explained. “I think it’ll take a while, but we’re all doing our best to be vocal about it and to support one another, and I think that’s the most important thing.”

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Arielle was also sure to thank friends and fans for all their support. “I’ve never felt so much love in my life, and to anyone and everyone that helped, whether it was in person or on social media, thank you,” she said. “We’ll remember it forever.”

With reporting by Antonia Blyth

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