Eat Bulaga Co-host Alden Richards Opens Up About His Experience With Mental Health

(SPOT.ph) A day after Joey De Leon trended on Twitter following his harmful comments on depression, the controversy is still the talk of the town.

Even his Eat Bulaga co-host, Alden Richards, has opened up about his personal experience with mental health on Twitter:

— Alden Richards (@aldenrichards02) October 6, 2017

If you watched the segment, aired yesterday, October 5, Alden had verbally agreed with Maine Mendoza, who took a stand after the EB hosts had "joked" about depression being "gawa-gawa lang."

Since airing, fellow celebrities, even those from ABS-CBN, have lent their two cents:

— Jodi Sta.Maria (@JodiStaMaria) October 6, 2017

— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) October 5, 2017

— Jasmine (@jascurtissmith) October 5, 2017

— Jake Ejercito (@unoemilio) October 5, 2017

Good morning. I hope all is well with you and your family. Like you, I’m all too aware of how real depression is. Having had to deal with it for a long time now, having lost friends, heroes and even myself to its depths, i know when it rears it’s ugly head, signs aren’t instant but more like quicksand. I know it cuts across the board, it knows no age, gender, religion, civil or economic status. what unfolded yesterday was a very painful and familiar exchange. I’ve heard it at the dinner table, in the car on the way to school and at the office cafeteria, everywhere. the ferocity with which the reaction was released was what made me pay close attention though. instead of the tv instincts kicking in for a quick draw reaction, i knew i had to remain quiet and not add to the noise. because it is this very noise that pushes the quiet ones further into a corner. it is good we have this avenue for expression, let’s continue to do so. it is healthier, thank you for this. mahigpit na yakap para sa iyo at sa mga tahimik.

A post shared by Ryan Agoncillo (@ryan_agoncillo) on Oct 5, 2017 at 5:05pm PDT

UPDATE (October 6, 2017, 1:40 p.m.): Joey De Leon has issued a formal apology, according to a report from GMA News. "Nagkamali po ako," he said. "Dala ng gulo at tuksuhan natin, naging mababaw lang at magaan ang pagtanggap ko sa salitang 'yan."

If you think you may have depression or know someone with depression, you can contact the Department of Health's 24-hour suicide prevention hotline, Hopeline, 804-4637; 0917-5584673; and 2919 for Globe and TM subscribers.