Kerry Washington Recalls Heavy Mental Health Crisis That Got Her On Her Knees To Ask For ‘Help’

Kerry Washington is opening up about one of the most vulnerable chapters of her life as she discusses her mental health. The Kerry Washington Recalls Heavy Mental Health Crisis That Got Her On Her Knees To Ask For ‘Help’ first appeared on The Blast

Kerry Washington is opening up about one of the most vulnerable chapters of her life.

The “Confirmation” star has never shied away from discussing her mental health journey. Over the years, she has spoken candidly about how deeply it affected her, even pushing her to a breaking point. 

Now, she’s revealing just how desperate she became to find help, a moment that ultimately led her to prayer.

Kerry Washington Recalls Health Crisis That Pushed Her To A Place Of Prayer

In a candid chat on the March 18 episode of Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy,” Washington reflected on her past struggle with an eating disorder, describing it as far more than a physical issue. 

“I recognized it because I knew that I was in a real mental health crisis,” Washington told host Cooper on the podcast. She explained that the turning point wasn’t about the relationship with food itself, but the “suicidal ideation.” 

“I was like, I’m using food and exercise as a tool to not be here. I’m trying to escape life, and I need to figure out how to be in life,” Washington recalled.

The “Fantastic Four” actress further acknowledged that the pattern had become a cycle of self-punishment, in which hurting herself felt like the only outlet for deeper emotional pain.

She continued revealing that the disorder had taken over her life, and the realization pushed her to seek help in a way she never had before, turning to spiritual guidance.

“The first time I ever prayed was to get out of this insanity, where I was like the only thing my entire life revolved around what I was eating or not eating, how many calories I was burning,” Washington shared. “And it was the first time I got on my knees to be like, ‘I need help.'”

Her path to recovery ultimately involved one-on-one therapy, group sessions, opening up to a professional about her struggles, and seeing a nutritionist. 

Kerry Washington Once Considered Suicide 

This is not the first time the “Little Fires Everywhere” actress has spoken about the seriousness of her challenges. She previously revealed that her eating disorder once led her to contemplate ending her life.

According to The Blast, in a 2023 interview with Robin Roberts on “20/20,” Washington opened up about moments when the emotional weight became overwhelming. She admitted there were times she felt she didn’t want to exist, which frightened her.

When asked directly about suicidal thoughts, she acknowledged that while the thoughts were present, they manifested in “tiny acts of trying to destroy myself.”

Kerry Washington Hints Her Struggles May Be Linked To Her Parentage

As Washington navigated her mental health battle, she traced some of her pain back to a past family secret.

She discovered that her father, Earl Washington, is not her biological father, a truth kept from her since and later detailed in her book, “Thicker Than Water: A memoir.”

The actress suggested that the secret may have contributed to a lingering sense of incompleteness. “I think that dissonance of like, ‘Somebody is not telling me something about my body. made me feel like there was something in my body I had to fix,” she shared, per The Blast. However, finding out brought her a sense of clarity.

Kerry Washington Left Tyler Perry Emotional After NAACP Image Award Win

Despite her battles, Washington continues to shine onscreen. Last year, The Blast reported that she won the NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for “The Six Triple Eight,” beating out contenders like Cynthia Erivo and Lashana Lynch.

In her acceptance speech, Washington thanked her fans, family, castmates, Netflix, and director Tyler Perry, while paying special tribute to the women of the 6888 Battalion. 

Moments after her speech, Washington returned to the stage, worried she had forgotten to thank Perry, only to be reminded she already had. 

The gesture moved Perry, who later shared on Instagram that her gratitude brought him to tears, noting how rare it is for him to be appreciated, despite helping thousands.

Kerry Washington Said ‘Scandal’ Transformed Her Life

While bagging wins, the “Django Unchained” actress continues to credit her role as Olivia Pope on the ABC drama as life-changing.

Per The Blast, when she received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2024, Washington reflected on how the role reshaped both her career and personal life, influencing milestones like starting a family and building a home.

“When people come up to me, they often talk about how Olivia Pope changed their life, and I get it — because she changed my life too,” she said.

The Kerry Washington Recalls Heavy Mental Health Crisis That Got Her On Her Knees To Ask For ‘Help’ first appeared on The Blast