Cleo Ćwiek had felt her whole life that she didn’t fit in, yet her journey shows that models and people interested in modeling can overcome challenges. Shortly after finishing high school, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and began speaking openly about mental health. Her story inspires not only models but also those who dream of working with model agencies or entering the world of modeling to be brave and seek help.
When one becomes depressed, it feels like you can never escape it – like living the same worst day over and over, as in “Groundhog Day.” Cleo describes how hard it was to engage in social activities, even at school. Despite good grades, everything around her felt overwhelming. Three months before her final exams, she suffered a nervous breakdown and was admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology. This experience saved her life and shows that mental health is just as important as any modeling career or work with model agencies.
Today, Cleo is launching a social campaign to break the taboo around mental illness and reminds us that even successful models or aspiring models face challenges – and that openness and support can make all the difference.
