Chiara de Blasio reveals battle with depression, substance abuse

The incoming 19-year-old first daughter made the heartfelt disclosure in a video sent to reporters by the de Blasio transition team. Chiara de Blasio/via YouTube

Chiara de Blasio, the daughter of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and incoming first lady Chirlane McCray, revealed Tuesday that she has battled depression and substance abuse.

In a five-minute video released the day before Christmas by the de Blasio transition team, the 19-year-old college sophomore detailed her struggles with depression, drugs and alcohol and how she ultimately conquered them.

The disclosure followed months of rumors surrounding the soon-to-be first daughter. By making and releasing the video, the de Blasio family was able to tell the sensitive story on its own terms.

The highly produced video simply features Chiara de Blasio talking as gentle piano music is heard in the background.

She begins the video by disclosing she's battled depression nearly 'her entire adolescence' and that her substance abuse flowed from that struggle.

'It didn't start out as a huge thing for me but then it became a really huge thing for me.'

De Blasio, who attends college in California, 3,000 miles away, goes on to explain that she 'thought all my problems would go away if I just got on the plane' to her school.

But her experience away, she said, was marred by smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol.

SHANNON STAPLETON/Reuters

She sought the help of a therapist, she said, who referred her to an 'outpatient treatment center in New York City' where she received 'institutional group therapy.'

The Mayor-elect's daughter went on to say she received support from her parents, her politician dad and incoming first lady Chirlane McCray.

'My mom was trying really hard to help me ... and my dad was doing the same, but obviously he was really busy,' she said. 'They were both very emotionally committed to trying to find out some way to get me better.'

'Removing substances from my life opened so many doors for me ... I was actually able to participate in my dad's campaign,' she said.

'Getting sober is always a positive thing and by no means is it easy, it's the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's so worth it.'

The surprise announcement was accompanied by an email, signed by 'Bill and Chirlane,' explaining why the family decided to share the story.

'As parents, our instinct has been to protect our daughter and privately help her through a deeply personal struggle,' they wrote. 'But not only has Chiara committed to her own health, she is also committed to helping young people everywhere who face similar challenges.

'With the hope of helping others, our daughter Chiara is courageously sharing her story,' they added.

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