"Listen to her" - Belle Collective star Marie Hamilton-Abston offers mental health advice to So Gucci

During the newest episode of Belle Collective, Marie Hamilton-Abston gave genuine counsel to fellow cast member Sophia "So Gucci" Williams about her daughter's mental health struggles.

"Listen to her, be there for her, and let her know that she's not alone. It's okay to not be okay,"

Marie emphasized this during the Belle Collective reunion episode that aired on Friday, December 27, 2024. This touching exchange came after So Gucci revealed her daughter Dee's recent struggles with mental health, sharing that she's "seeking the help that she needs."

The discussion, conducted by host Carlos King, highlighted the necessity of breaking the cycles of generational stigma surrounding mental health care, particularly within their community. So Gucci apologized for ignoring indicators of her daughter's troubles, saying,

"I didn't realize that she needed me more now than she did then."

Belle Collective stars share views on breaking cycles of generational stigma

The episode showcased So Gucci's determination to challenge long-held beliefs about mental health treatment.

"I grew up, you know, my dad telling me if you go see somebody, you crazy… I'm trying to break that curse," she shared, highlighting the ongoing struggle many face in overcoming cultural barriers to seeking mental health support.

Marie, drawing from her experiences, emphasized the importance of treating mental health with the same urgency and care as one would physical well-being.

"Just like we go to the doctor and check on our bodies, we have to check on our mind too. It's okay not to be okay. Depression, anxiety, being stressed out, all of those things fall up under mental health," she explained.

The conversation also broadened to include fellow Belle Collective cast member Tambra Cherie's struggles with postpartum depression. After giving birth to her daughter London Simone, Tambra faced unexpected complications that led to her hospitalization.

"Oh, I was fighting that for sure. When London Simone was born, I woke up in ICU," she revealed.

Tambra's somber experience highlighted how the often overlooked and misrepresented mental health challenges new mothers face, that people don't think about.

"No one really came to say, 'What is Tamara doing?' They're always asking, 'I want to see the baby,'" she shared, pointing out how societal focus often shifts entirely to the newborn while mothers' well-being takes a backseat.

What else came up during the reunion?

However, the honest conversation about mental health stood out as the Belle Collective episode's defining moment, demonstrating how reality television can occasionally transcend drama to address important societal concerns. Marie and So Gucci's talk, in particular, illustrated how common experiences can lead to tremendous moments of connection and understanding, even under usual reality TV difficulties.

---

The next Belle Collective episode will air on January 3, 2024.