RHOBH star Kyle Richards reveals she's in therapy for the first time in years after her best friend'
REAL Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards has revealed she's sought professional help for her mental health after a "rough year" dealing with her best friend's suicide.
The Bravo favorite, who was left shattered by the loss of pal Lorene Shea last May, says she has started therapy for the first time in years to cope with her grief.
Kyle hosted an event for the nonprofit NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness - to raise awareness for mental health and honor her friend on Tuesday evening in LA.
Speaking exclusively to The U.S. Sun, she said: "I've been going to therapy a couple of months now. I find it to be very helpful. Zoom and face-to-face, a combination of both depending on our schedules.
"Years ago I did it just for my anxiety, but this time it was more specific because I've obviously had kind of a rough year.
"I'm here tonight to talk about NAMI and my best friend Lorene who took her life, the one-year anniversary is coming up, and it's also Mental Health Awareness Month.
"It's really important to me to be able to spread the word and awareness and raise money. I want people to know that there is help out there.
TRAGIC LOSS
"And you know, the survivors also need help and I wanted it to be more of an open conversation because people are so scared to talk about it.
"I was telling my friends ... even planning this, I was scared to reach out to people I knew had lost loved ones. I didn't know how to word it. I was stumbling and I was like, 'I'm so embarrassed. This is so awkward. I'm so sorry.'"
Kyle, who says she also focuses on living a healthy lifestyle to stay mentally fit, felt "helpless" when she lost her best friend and she wants depression to be less of a "taboo topic".
She previously shared news of her pal's death on Instagram, saying: "This past Sunday we lost Lorene. The system failed her! The system failed her loved ones who are now left in unbearable pain.
"I will do whatever it takes to try & help change the laws that are in place that prevent people from getting the help they need. I love you Lorene."
At Tuesday's event, Kyle insisted that mental health is an "open conversation" in her home and her daughters journal, exercise, and meditate to help them cope with any difficult situations.
MARRIAGE RUMORS
The star shares Alexia, 26, Sophia, 23, and Portia, 15, with husband Mauricio Umansky, along with Farrah, 34, from her first marriage to Guraish Aldjufrie.
Her girls joined her to help raise awareness for mental health support for A Night of Music featuring Morgan Wade at The Fleur Room in West Hollywood.
"Therapy is really important if you're going through a hard time," she added. "And just reaching out and asking for help."
Kyle, 54, also cleared up rumors she and husband Mauricio's marriage is on the rocks after a photograph emerged of her leaving the gym without her wedding ring.
Calling the situation "stupid," she added: "It is what it is. My marriage is fine. The secret to marriage I think is respecting one another, and letting them be their own individual person. Mutual respect is number one."
Kyle was also supported at the event by a number of her Real Housewives co-stars, including Dorit Kemsley, Garcelle Beauvais, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Sutton Stracke, and new cast member Annemarie Wiley.
Erika Jayne was a no-show despite being invited to the glitzy charity event, while her half-sister Kathy Hilton was also noticeably absent amid their ongoing feud.
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The pair were last pictured together at Elton John's Oscars party in March, but Kyle admits they have not really been in contact.
"We both saw each other there and you know, it was friendly, but no, no contact since. We're sisters, listen, we've gone through hard times,
we always come back together."
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