From the outside, Hollywood may seem like a dream. Glamorous and full of beautiful people - everyone is happy. But for those living the dream, it’s not always so bright

Selma Blair has opened up about her journey to Hollywood - the good and the bad - in a honest and heartfelt Instagram post. Starting from the day she arrived in Los Angeles to right now, and all the bits in between.

I came to Los Angeles over twenty years ago. I lived in this cute studio apt in Brentwood. I met my best friend next door. Hi @lisa.arenson . I met a cute guy and I am still pals with his sister . Hi @kimgarvinferrier 💕 I had all the hope in the world. Auditions came. Work came. I kissed a girl . Hi @sarahmgellar ! 💋I made friends. I lost many and miss some. I battled alcoholism and depression and anxiety. I am now winning that battle. Hi a much better life! I worked with some of the best directors, hi #toddsolondz, #guillermodeltoro, @rogerkumble @robertluketic @paulfeig . I did Some shit jobs too. I ate some shit. I worked with @karllagerfeld and @prada . Hi icons! I was mentored by the incomparable #ingridsischy and loved by #carriefisher. Hi more grief! I laughed loudly and wept even more loudly. Hi New Years 2008! I have had my closest friends work hard for me.. hi @thetexastroya and @kristasmith @jaime_king @juliedesanto @michnader @anneagleton @rrichnyc @yesornoah @brianbowensmith @benleemusic @ioneskyelee @mattboren @tarasubkoff @bonnyrburke and especially @csiriano ⭐️.!standing by. Being a part of my team. I had a son. Hi Arthur! I lived with #postpartumdepression for 4 long years. Crippling anxiety. I fell apart. The last moment being very public. I was sorry. I was humbled. I stayed humble. I even found support on these pages. Hi @voltaire_no.5 @therealthaibarani @bradley.dock @urawinner7272 @jimfarrellxx @hoora_smart @juliachastain @juliarestoinroitfeld @maas.art @noah.d.newman @jaredeng ! and so many other moms. I got better. The weight of grief began to lift. I still struggle. I cry quietly so as not to wake my child. I am a good mother. But I have always been an actress. An actress who hasn’t had hope I will really work again. Now, when I finally have a well to draw from. It could all change on some Tuesday afternoon. For better or for worse. I want to have hope again. I want to thank you all for believing in me.I want to find the right work for me. And for me as a mom and as a woman who has come so far in personal ways. I want to make us all proud. 21 years later. #heartonsleeve. It’s a random Tuesday. Maybe miracles will happen ⭐️ #actress

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“I came to Los Angeles over twenty years ago” she writes.

“I made friends. I lost many and miss some. I battled alcoholism and depression and anxiety. I am now winning that battle. Hi a much better life!

“I was mentored by the incomparable Ingrid Sischy and loved by Carrie Fisher. Hi more grief! I laughed loudly and wept even more loudly." She continues, “I had a son. Hi Arthur! I lived with postpartum depression for four long years. Crippling anxiety. I fell apart. The last moment being very public. I was sorry. I was humbled. I stayed humble.”

“I got better, The weight of grief began to lift. I still struggle. I cry quietly so as not to wake my child. I am a good mother. But I have always been an actress. An actress who hasn’t had hope I will really work again.

“Now, when I finally have a well to draw from. It could all change on some Tuesday afternoon. For better or worse. I want to have hope again.”

The post concludes on a positive note, the place where Blair is, right now: “I want to thank you all for believe in me. I want to find the right work for me. And for me as a mom and as a woman who has come so far in personal ways. I want to make us all proud.

“21 years later. It’s a random Tuesday. Maybe miracles will happen.”

And Blair isn’t alone in feeling this way. A number of public figures have opened up about their own struggles in recent months, including Dwayne Johnson, Mariah Carey and Selena Gomez.

Mental health truly affects us all. In fact, the latest study by the Mental Health Foundation revealed that 74% of adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year that they felt overwhelmed and unable to cope. And that’s just of those involved in the study.

With one in four of us experiencing a mental health problem each year, stories like this shouldn’t be a surprise, yet they continue to shock us. Yes, even the rich and famous find life difficult sometimes, and this is why we need to continue fighting the stigma and talking about our experiences. We all have mental health, wherever we live, whoever we are, every single one of us deserves the support we need, and to be happy.

For mental health support and to find a counsellor near you, visit Counselling Directory.

To read more articles about mental health in popular culture, visit our Culture section and for inspirational, uplifting true life stories, visit our Life section.

Editorial credit: Matteo Chinellato / Shutterstock.com