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.

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."

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.

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."

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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