Danielle Ruhl Opens Up About The 'Highs And Lows' Of Her Mental Health Experience

Danielle Ruhl is staying committed to her mental health advocacy.

The "Love Is Blind" star has been in the spotlight recently for continuing to take the time to bring attention to her personal mental health experience, and also drawing attention to the current state of mental health within reality TV.

Ruhl, 29, appeared on the second season of the Netflix dating show in early 2022, and she has detailed her experience with mental health online since then, and has continued to discuss her mental health post-show.

Recently the mental health advocate joined many of her "Love Is Blind" castmates in detailing the alleged treatment reportedly experienced behind the scenes, in an account for Business Insider. Ruhl filmed and shared her experience and posted it in an Instagram video.

More recently, Ruhl responded to comments made by former 'Bachelor' lead Nick Viall on his podcast, "The Viall Files."

In the episode, Viall responds to Ruhl's belief that she shouldn't have passed the pre-show psychological screening.

She also shared her belief that producers were just "checking off a box" by conducting the screening; Ruhl continued by sharing she did not feel as if she was provided "adequate resources" to guide her through her mental health experience while filming.

The Blast covered Ruhl's Instagram video wherein she calls out Viall and shares her feelings about the situation.

She begins, "So, it was brought to my attention that Nick Viall did a podcast that was essentially a slam piece that also poked fun of the fact that I had previously attempted suicide."

Ruhl continues, "I remember the first time I ever discussed this in an interview and I was so hesitant to do so, I was terrified for it to come out, because this isn't easy stuff to talk about. It is people like Nick Viall that make it hard to talk about. It is people like Nick Viall that [it's] a reason it is still stigmatized. That it's a reason why people don't want to speak out about it," she continues. "There's a reason why people are embarrassed by it."

Ruhl's ex-husband, Nick Thompson, also shared his feelings toward Viall in two separate TikToks last week. Thompson alleges Viall reportedly called him "stupid" for not knowing how to monetize his Instagram properly; the account in question seems to be the non-profit that Thompson recently started along with his second-season castmate, Jeremy Hartwell.

Viall has not spoken publicly about either of Ruhl or Thompson's claims but has reportedly limited Thompson's ability to feature him in social media posts.

The reality star recently commemorated Mental Health Awareness Month on Instagram.

Last week, she took to her Instagram stories to bring attention to Mental Health Awareness Month.

In the two slides, Ruhl tells followers she is working on limiting what she shares publicly in light of the Viall "drama," but still wanted to share what she could about mental health during the month of May.

On Friday, Ruhl returned to Instagram to share more insight into her mental health experience.

She shares how "proud" she feels to be able to discuss subjects she previously shied away from. Ruhl also referenced stepping back because of Viall's insinuations.

"I recently stated that I was going to stay quiet this year because of someone saying that I speak out about mental health awareness and suicide for attention. Then, I found these pictures from last year..."

The pictures feature Ruhl wearing a hoodie that says "The more we talk about mental health, the more we realize we are not alone" on the back; the front reads, "F**k stigma," with a link to HFTO.org.

"It reminded me that this is true, and not to let others' words impact my values," she continues after referencing her hoodie. "The stigma still exists but talking about these topics shows strength and all of you who communicate openly make change. I did some reflection and am proud of myself for becoming increasingly brave, speaking about topics I used to be scared of. Sharing my stories and hearing your stories has benefitted me greatly and changed my life," Ruhl says.

"This past year I realized my mental health was deteriorating and I took a LOA from work to attend outpatient trauma therapy. This benefitted me so greatly that I wanted to share with the world so that those who are considering, or ashamed feel proud and confident for taking that step..."

Ruhl then lists the mental health "highs" she experienced in the past year, including TMS therapy, acquiring a second therapist, finding strategies to help her out of SI headspaces, and realizing the results of "trauma triggers."