For actor Taye Diggs, who’s had leading roles on Broadway, in films like How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and most recently in The CW Network’s All American, schizophrenia hit home in 2006. His younger sister Christian was diagnosed with the mental disorder that year, leaving the family floored and Christian, then 28, struggling as “my world fell out from underneath me,” she says.
Diggs is sharing the story of his sister’s diagnosis for the first time this World Schizophrenia Awareness Day (May 24), and also as part of both Mental Health Awareness Month and Bristol Myers Squibb’s new Live Your PosSCZible campaign, which aims to highlight stories of people living with schizophrenia as well as their care partners.
What led to Christian’s diagnosis?
Christian was someone who was joyful, a dancer, into socializing and suddenly she was withdrawn, she wasn’t connecting with family or sharing what was going on. We finally got her checked out.
How did the diagnosis and treatment affect you and your other three siblings?
The diagnosis was such a blow to us. It came out of nowhere. I was taken aback. I didn’t know how to react. I’m the big brother. In a moment like this I’m supposed to figure things out. I froze. I didn’t know what to do. My siblings were always close to each other, they had their own language, but this became an opportunity for us all to come together to support her. She found a psychiatrist and got on medication.
You’ve been one of her caregivers. How have you been helping her, and how has that affected you personally?
I’ve found that what Christian values most is me, us, connecting with her, and our being patient. I remind her how proud I am of her. The illness is complicated. How I help depends on what’s going on. I’ve been in contact with her psychiatrist when needed. Mostly it’s about being available for whatever is needed. When we first got the diagnosis, I thought of the stereotypes I knew from screens. Could she go out with me to a restaurant, or would she act out? It was important to spend time with her. I discovered how much of her life she was still able to live. Don’t assume the worst.
What have been some of the challenges regarding treatment for your sister and the family?
She had to figure out what she needed to alter. Once she got the right meds, stayed in therapy — as long as she did A, B, C, and D, she was good. She didn’t really struggle with staying on medication. Christian was on a mission. She is a testament that you can have a great life if you make adjustments.
What advice would you give to families or individuals who have a loved one with a mental illness or who is otherwise suffering?
People need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If your loved one does the work, the possibilities are endless. You have to find them support, that’s what helped Christian spread her wings and be able to fly. Keep encouraging them to do what they need to do. We were fortunate that Christian had a good attitude. She was 100 percent down for doing everything she needed to get better. That’s not always the case; some people don’t want to go to therapy or take medication.
How is she doing now?
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being fantastic, she’s a 10. When I think back to what I thought her life would be like to where she is today, things have worked out. She is a carpenter and has her own apartment. I enjoy when me, my sister Shalom, and Christian all get together. For me as a big brother who helped raise them, to see them grow up to become capable, funny human beings, is awesome. I would be friends with Christian even if she wasn’t my sister.
Much to the delight of fans, your character Billy Baker just reappeared on All American after dying in season five. What other projects are you working on? What can we expect next?
Well, what am I free to talk about yet? I’m excited to be producing a couple of movies. On one project, I’m working again with Meagan Good. It’s great to reconnect, to see how far she has grown. After the pandemic and the strike, I’m just grateful to be working.