Melanie Brown, famously known as Mel B from the iconic Spice Girls, has recently opened up about her harrowing journey to mental wellness, revealing her recourse to electric brain therapy as a means to combat persistent suicidal thoughts. The 48-year-old singer disclosed that towards the end of last year, she sought refuge on a tranquil Balearic island where she underwent an intensive six-week daily treatment regimen.
The therapy, known as electro-cranial magnetic therapy, was described by Mel B as a rejuvenating yet intrusive process, with machines emitting magnetic waves directly into her brain. "The machine would bang and brrr as magnetic waves shot into my head. It was intrusive," Mel B recounted to The Sun, detailing the precise targeting of brain areas associated with "trauma, emotions, and depression."
Mel B's decision to undergo this extreme form of therapy came after exhausting various other treatment options, including hypnotherapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and tapping therapy, none of which provided the relief she sought from the debilitating effects of a decade-long abusive relationship with Stephen Belafonte.
"I know it sounds extreme, but I have tried other therapies. Talking therapy brought everything up again, and I didn't want to say the things that had happened to me, even to a professional," Mel B explained. Her commitment to finding a viable solution for her mental health struggles led her to "guinea pig" herself with this last-resort treatment, hoping to share a viable alternative with others who may be hesitant about conventional therapy.
Following her recovery from the toxic marriage, Mel B has become an outspoken advocate for domestic abuse survivors, working closely with the organization Women's Aid. Her contributions to raising awareness about domestic abuse were recognized with an MBE award in 2022.
In her autobiography "Brutally Honest," Mel B bravely shared the extent of the abuse she endured, including a suicide attempt in December 2014 during the live "X Factor" shows. Her recounting of the electric brain therapy sessions is vivid and poignant, illustrating the depths of her struggle and the lengths she went to in search of healing.
"Lying back in a padded chair... I am overwhelmed by the therapy session's intensity, with emotions and memories flooding back, leading to tears and distress," Mel B described, highlighting the physical and emotional pain intertwined in her healing process. Yet, despite the discomfort, she found a semblance of peace and the elusive sleep that had evaded her for years, marking a significant milestone in her journey towards mental wellness.
Mel B's courageous battle and her willingness to explore unconventional therapy underscore her resilience and dedication to not only her recovery but also to aiding others who face similar battles. Her story sheds light on the complexities of mental health challenges and the diverse pathways to healing, serving as a beacon of hope for those navigating their own dark moments.
