Singaporean actress Rui En recently shared a deeply personal chapter of her life — her struggle with depression and insomnia during the first half of 2024. Speaking candidly in a Lianhe Zaobao feature and later reflecting in an interview with The Straits Times, Rui En revealed that the experience left her feeling “hopeless and helpless,” often surviving on just one to four hours of sleep a night.
Rui En told The Straits Times that several events over the past few years — including the death of her cat, her father’s heart attack, and parting ways with her talent agency — had taken a toll on her emotional well-being. The once-resilient star, known for her strong on-screen persona, described this as a period where her identity and sense of purpose began to unravel.
“When I woke up, I would feel hopeless and helpless. It was a terrifying feeling,” she recalled.
The turning point came when Rui En, a Christian, decided to enroll in Bible school in July 2024, describing the decision as being made “under duress.” What followed was a journey of faith, introspection, and healing. “I was sinking under the weight of depression and I was desperate,” she wrote on Instagram. “Recovery and healing are possible with God. Not overnight, but slowly. Get help. One day, that tightness in your chest will ease, and light will start shining in through the cracks.”
Now recovered, Rui En has become an advocate for mental health awareness, sharing her experience openly through videos, interviews, and social media content. She encourages her followers to seek professional help and emphasizes that therapy and self-care are not signs of weakness.
Her transparency has inspired many — with fans expressing gratitude for helping them feel less alone. “Some netizens left me messages saying I made them feel understood. That moved me to tears because I could relate,” she said.
Today, Rui En sees her career break not as a setback, but as a season of renewal. “The slower pace gives me breathing space,” she reflected. “I hope that beyond being remembered as an actress or singer, I can be remembered for helping others.”
