Madelaine Petsch is speaking candidly about her breakup with boyfriend Travis Mills and the toll it took on her mental health amid COVID-19 quarantine.
‘My mental health was at an all-time low,’ admitted the Riverdale star, 26, in a recent interview with Flaunt. ‘Every day was definitely a challenge and therapy was absolutely key for me to keep sane.’
Madelaine and the 31-year-old recording artist amicably announced the end of their three year relationship in February of last year with a heartfelt Instagram post.
Tough time: Madelaine Petsch is speaking candidly about her breakup with boyfriend Travis Mills and the toll it took on her mental health amid COVID-19 quarantine; Madelaine and Travis pictured in 2019
Petsch explained to the outlet that her mental health was so fragile at the time that her best friend decided to move in with her, which proved to be the ultimate guiding light.
‘My best friend moved in with me and that was a huge game changer for my mental health.
‘I found ways to be creative while staying positive and reading books. I read this book called Vibrate Higher Daily, and it’s basically about how to radiate positivity. And I found more books to help me navigate,’ she explained.
Petsch noted that adding the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic to her post-relationship woes only took her anxiety to new heights.
All-time low: ‘My mental health was at an all-time low,’ admitted the Riverdale star, 26, in a recent interview with Flaunt . ‘Every day was definitely a challenge and therapy was absolutely key for me to keep sane’; Madelaine pictured in 2020
‘It really took me probably five months through this whole pandemic to get back to an okay mental state,’ she admitted.
‘I had a lot of anxiety over quarantine, and I felt like without my job and without Riverdale, I didn’t know what my identity was.’
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an industry-wide production shutdown in March of last year, in the hopes of deterring the virus’ spread.
Riverdale, which is currently in its fifth season, has since resumed filming in Toronto, Canada.
Amicable end: Madelaine and the 31-year-old recording artist amicably announced the end of their three year relationship in February of last year with a heartfelt Instagram post
Petsch made sure to speak directly to those also suffering from depression and anxiety, ensuring them that they are ‘not alone’ and that she is well aware of the emotional tolls the conditions can take.
‘I’m saying this because I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re alone. I’m in the same boat and I feel it, and I’m right there with them,’ she stressed.
As for her go-to coping mechanisms, the Sightless star has leaned on meditation, frequent journaling and reaching out to those closest to her.
‘Even though there are days where I was really struggling, just to remember three things that I was grateful for — whether that be the roof over my head, or the food in my mouth—to start and end the day with really changed my mindset.’
Anxious: ‘I had a lot of anxiety over quarantine, and I felt like without my job and without Riverdale, I didn’t know what my identity was,’ she explained; Madelaine pictured on Riverdale
Not alone: Petsch made sure to speak directly to those also suffering from depression and anxiety, ensuring them that they are ‘not alone’ and that she is well aware of the emotional tolls the conditions can take; Madelaine pictured in 2020
Back in February, at the time of his split from Madelaine, Travis penned a lengthy letter to his fans and former girlfriend formally announcing their breakup.
‘I’ve had to accept there’s no possible way to capture a love of this scale or its significance to me, in a few paragraphs,’ began the Riverside, California native, who included a sweet snapshot of himself and the actress.
He described their relationship as the ‘most non-superficial & grounding experience in my life,’ despite being ‘in the public eye for the last 3 years.’
‘While it pains me our journey has come to a close, I mean it when I say I’m so incredibly grateful to have shared the last 3 years with someone as compassionate, smart & wonderful as Madelaine.
Grateful: ‘Even though there are days where I was really struggling, just to remember three things that I was grateful for — whether that be the roof over my head, or the food in my mouth—to start and end the day with really changed my mindset,’ said the star; Petsch pictured in 2020
The personal growth made possible by our time together I wouldn’t trade for anything,’ he gushed, before noting that they ambitious schedules may have played a role in their relationship’s demise.
‘There’s a ton of privilege being able to do what we do, but there’s a mountain of challenges. That said we were in it together. It challenged me, kept me honest, made me more compassionate, and helped me do some very necessary growing up.
‘The highest highs were made better, the lowest lows were livable, because of her. I’ve learned so much about myself & life from that unconditional love and support.,’ wrote the Ghosted host, who added that he would ‘not [be[] deleting any of [his] images [with Madelaine]’ and that he ‘regret[s] nothing.’
Heartfelt: Back in February, at the time of his split from Madelaine, Travis penned a lengthy letter to his fans and former girlfriend formally announcing their breakup; the pair pictured in 2018