Cheslie Kryst's Mother Publishes Memoir Revealing Former Miss USA's Struggle with Depression

April Simpkins, the mother of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, has published a memoir co-written with her daughter that sheds light on Kryst's private battle with depression and mental health issues. The book, titled "By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie's Smile and Mental Illness," comes two years after Kryst died by suicide at the age of 30 in January 2022.

Despite her outward success, including winning the Miss USA crown in 2019 and working as a correspondent for Extra, Kryst struggled with feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, and depression. The memoir reveals that Kryst faced intense online abuse and backlash after her Miss USA victory, which exacerbated her long-standing insecurities and made her believe she didn't deserve the title.

Simpkins shares excerpts from the book, detailing Kryst's experiences with high-functioning depression and the constant pressure she put on herself to succeed. In 2015, while in law school, Kryst attempted suicide but survived. Simpkins dedicated herself to supporting her daughter, but Kryst continued to struggle with depression and feelings of loneliness.

Why this matters: Cheslie Kryst's story highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the need to support those who may be struggling, even if they appear successful on the outside. The memoir aims to help others dealing with similar issues and to continue the conversation about mental health.

Final Farewell: On January 30, 2022, the day of her death, Kryst sent a final text message to her mother expressing her deep sadness and pain. "First, I'm sorry," Kryst wrote. "By the time you get this, I won't be alive anymore. And it makes me even more sad to write this because I know this will hurt you the most."

Legacy Memoir: Simpkins emphasizes that her daughter's passing was not an impulsive decision but the result of the unimaginable pain she had been carrying for years. Proceeds from the memoir will go towards the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, which supports mental health programs for youth and young adults. By sharing Kryst's story, Simpkins hopes to help others who may be wrestling with mental illness and to ensure that her daughter's struggles are not forgotten.

Key Takeaways

• Cheslie Kryst's mother publishes memoir on her daughter's battle with depression
• Kryst struggled with imposter syndrome, depression despite outward success as Miss USA
• Memoir reveals Kryst's suicide attempt in 2015 and ongoing mental health challenges
• Proceeds from memoir to fund mental health programs for youth via Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation
• Kryst's story highlights importance of mental health awareness and support for those struggling