How Sarah Hyland overcame '27 years of being sick,' mental health struggles

Jayme Deerwester
Updated

"Modern Family" star Sarah Hyland got real about her lowest point during a visit to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

"I have an amazing job and an amazing support system but after 27 years of being sick and in chronic pain every single day, you don't know when you're going to have the next good day," she explained. "It's really hard."

In Friday's episode, the 28-year-old actress, who endured a second kidney transplant and the death of a cousin at the hands of a suspected drunk driver last year, opened up about having suicidal thoughts, a topic she's previously discussed.

"I finally said it out loud to someone," she told DeGeneres. "Just saying it out loud helped immensely because I kept it to myself for months and months at a time."

What advice does she have for someone in a similar frame of mind?

"I think talking to someone and saying it out loud almost makes it sound almost ridiculous but it puts everything into perspective."

More: Hyland reveals she had second kidney transplant, contemplated suicide

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The conversation turned considerably lighter when DeGeneres brought up the subject of Hyland's boyfriend, "Bachelorette" Season 12 contestant Wells Adam, who now serves as the bartender on "The Bachelor in Paradise."

"I had been watching the 'Bachelor' franchise since I was a kid," Hyland said, explaining how they became a couple. "It was just something my mom and I did together. So I watched his show and that's how we started talking. I would tweet about him because he referenced books. And I was like, 'Oh gosh, Bachelor contestants can read?!? This is amazing. He can read. And he has dimples! This is great.' "

More: Hyland's boyfriend Adams praises her for 'never breaking down' amid struggles

Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Sarah Hyland overcame '27 years of being sick,' mental health struggles