Riverdale Star Says Show Saved Her Life

05/14/2017 03:41 pm EDT

To mark the one-year anniversary of The CW Television Network picking up Riverdale for an entire season, Lili Reinhart — who portrays the strong-willed, fierce, and courageous Betty Cooper on the Archie Comics-based teen drama — posted a series of tweets on Saturday, expressing her gratitude for the show's success and revealing how it helped her through a major bought of depression.

"I cried tears of joy. In that moment I became a working actress with a steady job. Something I had been working towards for 7 years," the 20-year-old actress wrote (via EW). "And now here we are, gearing up to film season 2. And I could not be more grateful. Riverdale came into my life when I was going through the worst depression I had ever experienced. And in the end it completely saved me."

Reinhart explained that she opened up about her personal struggles because it is Mental Health Awareness Month. "And when I'm feeling depressed or sad, I remind myself how far I've come. And how I didn't let my depression consume me," she continued. "To anyone out there who feels depressed or hopeless… do not f--king give up on yourself. You're all you've got. And you deserve the world. Your mental health should be your priority. Don't forget that. This is your life.. and you've only got one. So don't waste it by being sad."

She concluded: "You will get through whatever you're going through now. And you'll be so much stronger at the end of it. You're stronger than you know. I felt the need to put some love out into the world today. I encourage you to do the same."

Of course since the internet is filled with people that want to find fault in anything, no matter how good the intention was/is, Reinhart's emotional and thoughtful message was taken the wrong by some. So five hours later, after being criticized by some who thought she minimized the mood disorder, Reinhart fired back at her critics with a new series of tweets.

"I in no way meant that depressed people should 'stop being sad,'" she responded. "I've dealt with depression my whole f--king life, so obviously I know that. I'm saying find yourself some help. And don't wait for things to change. You have to go out and get that for yourself. You have to find your own happiness and be willing to get better."

And in order find her own happiness, Reinhart made the decision to give L.A. one more shot, moving back there for a second time to follow her dreams of being an actress. "I was proactive about changing my life," she explained. "And if people want to twist my words around or say that I'm an idiot or have bad intentions, then okay. Fine. But I'm not going to keep my mouth shut about mental health because some people are looking to be mad about something."

MORE: Riverdale Recasts Reggie; Ross Butler Endorses Replacement / What You Need To Know About Finale, Casting News & More / 5 Craziest Riverdale Moments / What Does Shocking Cliffhanger Mean For Season 2?

Archie (KJ Apa) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) continue to grow closer. Betty (Lili Reinhart) is tired of her family acting as if nothing has happened and confronts her mother. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) finds himself in an unexpected situation, leaving Archie and the gang scrambling. Hermione (Marisol Nichols) makes Fred (Luke Perry) an offer that seems too good to be true. Meanwhile, the truth about Blossom's family business is revealed leaving Cheryl (Madelain Petsch) to take matters into her own hands. Madchen Amick and Ashleigh Murray also star.

Lee Toland Krieger directed the episode written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

Riverdale stars KJ Apa as Archie, Cole Sprouse as Jughead, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camilla Mendes as Veronica Lodge, and Luke Perry as Archie's father Fred Andrews, among others. The series' showrunner is Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Archie Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer and the writer of Afterlife With Archie, the publisher's wildly popular zombie series.

Riverdale airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.

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