'Outlander' Star Sophie Skelton Says 'Please Don't Give Up' After UK Suicide Report

Anxiety and depression have been consistent topics of discussion throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and Sophie Skelton is trying her best to mitigate that pain.

The “Outlander” actress shared a personal aspect of her life in a heartfelt Instagram post. In it, she discussed how purchasing a five-minute journal became one of the most “life-changing and useful tools” she has for coping with life’s stressors.

“It has made me appreciate the tiny things in my life,” Skelton said. “Things that usually might have passed me by, it’s made me really note them. It opens my eyes to the small, sometimes seemingly insignificant, things in daily life and in the world that actually can bring the most joy.”

Skelton’s post comes in response to stories like this one in Metro UK of a 19-year-old girl in Norfolk, England, who attempted suicide and later died in response to the potential lockdown the U.K. might take to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

“It made me want to share something,” Skelton said.

She told fans in her post that while she was in New York City by herself in 2019, she bought the journal and explained that writing down the daily good happening in one’s life can help to create a more positive outlook.

“Each day, in the morning, you write down three things that you’re grateful for, three things that would make the day great, and a daily affirmation about yourself,” she wrote. “At the end of the day, you write down 3 amazing things that happened that day, and one thing that you could have done to make the day better.”

Skelton ended her note with words of encouragement to fans about finding their own outlet for coping with the pandemic. She also reminded fans that people all over the world are social distancing “because they care about you.”

“Please don’t give up,” she said.