GEMMA Collins fans were left in tears this evening as the brave star opened up about her self-harm battle on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. The 40-year-old star spoke frankly about her mental health struggle on the show, admitting that she can still see scars on her arms now. Gemma explained that she started self-harming when […]
GEMMA Collins fans were left in tears this evening as the brave star opened up about her self-harm battle on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories.
The 40-year-old star spoke frankly about her mental health struggle on the show, admitting that she can still see scars on her arms now.
Gemma explained that she started self-harming when she was 20 years old, and her long-term boyfriend left her for somebody else after she was forced to terminate a pregnancy because doctors said the baby was “deformed”.
She told Piers: “I was desperately unhappy. It’s shocking really, isn’t it? I’ve still got scars on my wrist that I can see now.
“That especially, I look at that now and I see it as a sign of how far I’ve come.”
Piers asked: “What would you do to yourself?”
Speaking openly, the former Towie favourite continued: “I’d just get a knife and start… I don’t know, it was like a release.
“It was a coping mechanism I think, but I am well out of it now, and I never tried to revisit that.”
When the host asked if Gemma had been suicidal or if it was just a “cry for help”, she replied: “Probably more of a cry for help.
“I should have probably had therapy at the time, and I wouldn’t judge anyone – it can happen to anyone.”
Fans found the scenes incredibly hard to watch, and flocked to Twitter to share their admiration for the reality TV favourite.
One wrote: “@missgemcollins has got me sobbing tonight! Fair f**king play to the girl. Hope she’s found her forever peace & happiness”.
Another added: “Nearly in tears, people are truly awful and this has shown such a human side to Gemma Collins”.
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
A third said: “I’m actually crying at #Lifestories how can people be so cruel to someone they’ve only seen on a reality show and don’t even know what that person has gone through”.
One more agreed: “Really have a lot of respect for the GC being honest about her mental health.
“I was at my lowest at 21 and it’s a reminder that you can get through it and come out better. Well done GC”.
Elsewhere in the moving interview, Gemma broke down in tears as she recalled being sent vile death threats by cruel trolls and abused in the street due to her weight, and also opened up about her rocky relationship with ex James ‘Arg’ Argent.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
