Taye Diggs opens up about his sister’s schizophrenia diagnosis. Here’s what he’s learned and why he’s talking about mental health.

He’s an accomplished TV star and Broadway performer, but Taye Diggs says he was left speechless when his younger sister Christian was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental health condition that affects the way someone thinks , behaves and feels. It’s an experience that Diggs, 53, has only recently opened up about publicly in support of Live Your Possible, a new campaign to lift up the voices of people living with schizophrenia and spark impactful conversations about aspirations. theirs.

Christians diagnosis of schizophrenia at the age of 28 came out of left field, e RENTAL AND Private practice star tells Yahoo Life. We were relieved that we could put a name to it [withdrawn] the behavior of that time, [but] None of us knew what to do with that information, he says, admitting that the only reference point he and his loved ones had for the disease were some overdramatized TV shows.

I felt helpless as that big brother who was usually there for everything, he admits, noting that being the Christian big brother had always given him a sense of pride and worth. But hearing this news about a loved one and not being anywhere near her, not knowing what steps to take, was quite disturbing.

He adds, I thought I always had to have the answers and be there, and when I didn’t have the answers, I was paralyzed. But you can still be active and lend a non-judgmental ear, even if you don’t have the answers.

Thankfully, everyone in the family, including Diggs’ ex-wife, actress Idina Menzel, with whom he has teenage son Walker, pitched in to help. The pedestrian’s mother said, [Christian] He definitely needs to see a psychiatrist, Diggs recalls. [Later on,] I was with him at my son’s basketball practice and I thanked him. I said to him, you are the one who led the Christian way to clarity, which was passed on to us. I let her know that she had a lot to do with where Christian is now.

Diggs’ late mother also stepped in to find a psychiatrist who was a great fit for Christian, and once she got the right medication, she started to get back on track.

Witnessing his sisters’ journey inspired Diggs to help people realize that no one’s life is over when faced with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. When you get news like we do, you don’t have to give up hope, he shares. There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel.

Diggs also feels he learned the importance of not jumping to conclusions when it comes to a diagnosis like this. I was a little ashamed that I was so quick to resort to and rely on stereotypes and regret [her], he says. I immediately fell into place [of] “She won’t be able to live the life she wanted.” Growing up, she was very bubbly, very active, smart. [But] I didn’t research it right away, which I should have. None of what I thought was true.

He also regrets that he froze and felt uncomfortable discussing this topic with his sister. Later I realized it was the worst thing I could have done, he says. Christian told me, imagine what it’s like to feel like you’re no longer in control of your mind. Once you hear from someone’s direct perspective, it forces you to look at the situation differently. I had no idea what was going on. All you want is for people to listen to you, understand you, trust you, be patient and show that support. There is a sense of security that she needed most at that moment.

Diggs aims to apply the lessons he learned by simply listening to everyone in his life, especially his son. He also makes it a point to reach out to loved ones more often. I’m usually pretty terrible at it, says Diggs. [But] what Christian is going through has brought the family closer together and reminds us how important it is to just stay in touch with each other.

These days, former All American star is proud of Christian’s progress. Naturally, [schizophrenia] “It never goes away, but she’s found a way to make some adjustments in her life that allow her to do whatever she wants, and I think that’s pretty incredible,” Diggs says. After that and seeing how she’s handling her life and loving it, I see her as a very successful adult doing her own thing. Now I respect him in a different way.