Many viewers were deeply moved after Majella O’Donnell gave a very honest and emotional interview about her long struggle with depression on The Late Late Show, hosted by Patrick Kielty. Her openness about being hospitalised for ten weeks during a severe episode of clinical depression led to widespread praise from viewers and on social media.
Majella revealed that she has struggled with depression since her late teens and has been on antidepressants since her mid-30s. Although she usually manages her mental health and can pull herself “out of a rut,” she explained that in 2024 she unfortunately returned to what she described as “that dark old place.” Following advice from her GP, she agreed to enter a psychiatric hospital — something she initially found frightening, but later realised was the best decision she could have made.
She explained that she spent ten weeks in hospital, and during that time she struggled even to communicate with her own family. In one particularly emotional moment from the interview, she said it took her five weeks to phone her husband, Daniel O’Donnell. She had sent a message to her family saying she loved them but needed time to “come back to life again,” describing how she had lost all joy, even in her family and grandchildren — something she said was very hard to admit.
The first few weeks were especially difficult. She also found it hard being recognised as Daniel O’Donnell’s wife while she was trying to cope with her mental health. But slowly, with time, treatment, and support, she began to feel stronger. She spoke very warmly about the people she met in the hospital, describing them as “down to earth, normal people,” and said that gradually she began to feel strength returning.
After ten weeks, she reached a turning point when she realised she finally felt a little excitement about life again, something she said she had not felt for a long time. That was when she knew she was ready to go home and return to her family.
One of the most important parts of the interview was the message she wanted to share with others who might be struggling with mental health issues. She spoke very clearly and directly to viewers, saying there is absolutely no shame in asking for help. She encouraged anyone who is struggling to speak to their GP and seek support, stressing that mental illness is not something to be ashamed of.
Her words were very powerful:
She said that yes, she was in a psychiatric hospital, and yes, she needed help — and that is okay. She told viewers never to feel ashamed for having mental health problems, reminding people that we are all human and sometimes we need help.
Following the interview, many viewers took to social media to praise her honesty, courage, and openness. People described her as strong, genuine, inspirational, and brave, and many said that by speaking openly, she would help other people who are struggling but are afraid to talk about it.
What made the interview so powerful was not just her story, but her honesty. She did not try to hide the difficult parts, and she spoke in a very real and straightforward way about how depression affects a person — how it can take away joy, energy, and even the ability to talk to the people you love most.
By speaking publicly about her experience, Majella O’Donnell helped to reduce the stigma around mental health, especially for people who may feel embarrassed or afraid to admit they are struggling. Her message was very clear and very important:
There is no shame in mental illness.
There is no shame in asking for help.
And with help, things can get better.
For many viewers, it was not just an interview —
it was a conversation that may have helped a lot of people feel less alone.