Former Tahidi High actress Angel Waruinge, fondly remembered by fans as Miss Morgan, has opened up about her struggles with depression and alcoholism during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking in a candid interview with Alex Mwakideu, Waruinge revealed that between 2018 and 2021, she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for her mental health struggles. “I went through depression, and I went through a coping mechanism, which was not right, which was alcoholism,” she said.
While she admitted that suicidal thoughts crossed her mind, she was grateful that she never acted on them. “I thank God I was not suicidal. I thought of the suicidal moments, but there was no point I thought about it while drunk,” she explained.
Waruinge said the pressures of fame and societal expectations played a major role in her emotional turmoil. As a public figure, she felt the weight of always having to meet certain standards, which sometimes led to poor decisions and self-sabotage. “You are famous… There is this expectation that society is expecting from you, you know, you get overwhelmed,” she shared.
During this period, she found herself drinking on most days. However, she now cautions that alcohol offers no true relief, stressing the importance of facing challenges honestly. Her turning point came when she decided to seek help, starting with a heartfelt call to her mother. “I told her, ‘This is not me. This is not who I am.’ At the end of the day there is that one person you can talk to,” she said.
With her mother’s support, Waruinge began therapy after COVID-19 restrictions eased. The process taught her the importance of self-care, authenticity, and having a strong support system. She also learned to embrace life’s mistakes and challenges as opportunities for growth.
Reflecting on her journey, she advised against striving for perfection, instead urging people to “calm down” and focus on well-being. Once aspiring to become a psychiatrist, Waruinge now uses her experience to highlight the reality of mental health struggles and the need for compassion in society.
