Sharon Osbourne’s shocking revelation about her 2016 suicide attempt exposes how the left’s culture of despair nearly destroyed a family before her children’s love pulled her back from the brink.
Story Highlights
- Sharon attempted suicide in 2016 after decades of depression and family health crises
- Two young women traumatized by their mothers’ suicides shocked her into choosing life
- Her children became the decisive factor in her recovery and ongoing treatment
- The Osbourne family battles multiple chronic illnesses requiring daily management
A Mother’s Life-Saving Realization
Sharon Osbourne revealed on CBS’s “The Talk” in 2020 that she attempted suicide around 2016 after finding life “very, very difficult.” During treatment at a mental health facility, she encountered two young women whose mothers had died by suicide, leaving them “messed up so bad that they couldn’t cope with their lives.” This encounter delivered what Sharon called an “electric shock” realization about the devastating impact her death would have on her own children, whom she refers to as “my family, my babies.”
Decades of Hidden Struggle
Sharon’s suicide attempt came after nearly three decades of medication for severe depression, revealing how mental illness can persist despite long-term professional treatment. She had previously experienced a “complete and utter breakdown” in May 2015 that forced a five-week absence from “The Talk.” Her depression exists within a complex web of family health crises, including her own two cancer diagnoses, son Jack’s multiple sclerosis and heart condition, and husband Ozzy’s rare neurological disorder and ongoing addiction battles.
The chronic stress environment created by these overlapping illnesses likely intensified Sharon’s depression. Ozzy’s condition, initially misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, causes tremors and affects his voice, while his daily struggle with addiction adds emotional and caregiving burdens. Sharon describes herself as both caregiver and patient, managing not only her severe depression but also supporting her family through their various health challenges.
Breaking the Silence on Mental Health
Sharon’s public disclosure represents a crucial shift toward treating depression as a legitimate medical illness rather than personal weakness. In her 2025 interview with Dan Rather, she emphasized that depression must be treated “daily” and requires proper education and medication to prevent self-destruction. Her willingness to discuss an actual suicide attempt, rather than just suicidal thoughts, demonstrates the severity of depression that can affect anyone regardless of success or medication history.
The TV host’s advocacy for mental health awareness challenges the cultural stigma that often prevents people from seeking help. By framing her children as the protective factor that saved her life, Sharon highlights how family bonds can serve as powerful deterrents to suicide. Her story underscores that even with decades of treatment and public success, depression remains a chronic condition requiring ongoing management and strong support systems.
Sources:
Sharon Osbourne: “Complete and Utter Breakdown” – Woke Up in Hospital – NAMI San Mateo
Sharon Osbourne talks mental breakdown, depression – ABC News
