Billy Miller’s former “General Hospital” costar Maurice Benard is speaking out about mental health following Miller’s death.
“Since the pandemic, I have been speaking out on suicide quite a lot,” Benard, 60, shared via Instagram on Tuesday. “In the beginning, I was hesitant. I didn’t know how people would handle it. But it’s been very encouraging so I have not stopped talking about it! It’s really hard to understand mental illness unless you have experienced the depths of pain that comes with it.”
“If you know anyone who is going through any kind of darkness, chaos, pain … Just know, all you can do is give them love, patience, understanding, and hopefully professional help if they agree,” he continued. “And unfortunately, if someone doesn’t want to be on this earth anymore, there’s only so much we can do just remember, it’s not your fault never blame yourself.”
Benard also shared a video he did two months prior speaking about mental health on his “State Of Mind with Maurice Benard” YouTube series.
“If you’re feeling in any kind of way, like life is not worth living for don’t think twice to talk to someone take it from the most fragile person in the world you can get through it,” he added in his Instagram caption. “And life has a way of rewarding you.”
Benard and Miller starred together on ABC’s “General Hospital” for five years. Benard has played Sonny Corinthos since 1993, and Miller played both Jason Morgan and Drew Cain.
Benard’s social media post comes days after Miller died at the age of 43 in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 15, days before his 44th birthday. His mother, Patrica Miller, later confirmed that he “fought a long, hard, valiant battle with bipolar depression for years.”
“He loved his family, his friends and his fans, but in the end, the disease won the fight, and he surrendered his life,” she said in a statement. “We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss,” she concluded. “I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support.”
On Thursday, “The Young and the Restless” — which Miller also starred in, paid tribute to him at the end of the most recent episode. “In loving memory,” a message read on screen, alongside a black-and-white photo of the late star. “1979-2023.”
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org
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