Sarah Hyland Bravely Opens Up About Thoughts of Suicide
Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland has been honest about her lifelong chronic illness (kidney dysplasia), as well as the support she's gotten from her family, friends, and boyfriend Wells Adams. Hyland says she was very close to not making it through the toughest time in her life.

Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland has been refreshingly candid about her lifelong chronic illness (kidney dysplasia), as well as the support she's gotten from her family, friends, and boyfriend Wells Adams. Her bravery and transparency, in turn, have inspired others who are suffering. But on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hyland says she was very close to not making it through the toughest time in her life.
She was "very, very, very close" to suicide, Hyland told DeGeneres. "After 26/27 years of just always being sick and being in chronic pain every single day and you don’t know when you’re going to have the next good day, it’s really, really hard,” she said. She even wrote mental letters to her loved ones, explaining "why I did it and my reasoning behind it, how it was nobody’s fault."
But saying it out loud to a close friend really helped after she'd "kept it to myself for months and months at a time," she said. "Saying it out loud really, really makes it sound almost ridiculous and it puts it into perspective."
"It ended up being myself that got me out of that,” she added. "I had to do it on my own. I told myself I had to do it on my own." Hyland made sure to say she doesn't speak for everyone harboring such thoughts, and that everyone is different.
It's not the first time Hyland has bravely spoken out about her mental health struggles. In an interview with Self late last year, she explained:
When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like it's your fault. It's not. But it does...For a long time, I was contemplating suicide, because I didn't want to fail my little brother like I failed my dad.
She added: ""For anybody that wants to reach out to somebody but doesn't really know how because they're too proud or they think that they'll be looked upon as weak, it's not a shameful thing to say. It's not a shameful thing to share."
These days, Hyland is feeling better physically, particularly after her second kidney transplant. Judging by Adams' Instagram, her life is also looking much better these days...and so is his.
A post shared by Wells Adams (@wellsadams)
A photo posted by on
Once you see what he's really talking about, it's adorable.
If you or anyone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix Docuseries Being Tapped for an Emmy Nomination
Industry insiders predict it will happen.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Kim Cattrall Had Quite a Few Demands to Appear on ‘And Just Like That…’
And the money was just one of them.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
British Journalist Claims Meghan Markle Is Partying a Lot in L.A.—Solo
“Strangely, she tends to leave Harry at home.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J. Igoe
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors