Keisha opens up about mental health battle

Oscar-nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes has spoken out about her battle with mental illness in the wake of Charlotte Dawson's death. Castle-Hughes posted a message on her Facebook page: "My name is Keisha Castle-Hughes and I am proud to tell you all that I have bi-polar disorder. Let's talk about it!" The 24-year-old wrote that she had suffered through mental illness and addiction, which she called "an ongoing battle", and called for an end to the stigma attached to the topic.

"This world can be a scary place, especially for those of us who are wired in a way where the simple ebbs & flows of life can throw us off-balance. There is so much stigma attached to mental illness and we have been given an opportunity now to openly have a conversation about what we can do to help others and reach out when we need. "It is our duty to take the time to ask people, close or stranger, who they are. Charlotte Dawson's death is an absolute tragedy but herein is a very real yet harsh lesson for us all to never ignore any mental illness." Castle-Hughes, who is currently living in Los Angeles, called Dawson a "truly special wahine" on Twitter. Last week in Woman's Day Castle-Hughes' husband, Jonathon Morrison, said he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder when the pair returned to New Zealand from Hollywood last year.