Reality TV personality Gemma Collins has spoken out for her new Channel 4 documentary that she spent two decades struggling with self-harm.
The 41-year-old former The Only Way Is Essex star is the subject of Gemma Collins: Self Harm And Me in which viewers see her confront her “painful past”.
She also visited Nottingham for part of her filming of the documentary when she went to the Harmless centre in New Basford.
The mental health service in the city works with people to help prevent self-harm and suicide.
After visiting the service, Gemma said: "When you come to these centres no one's getting judged, it's like a sanctuary for people who self-harm.
"It just made me realise that people are there to help and I just sort of like, at the same time, kick myself because I wish I'd been able to get that help years ago or been brave enough to ask for the help. I could have saved myself a lot of pain."
At the end of the film, the star told of finally finding 'peace' with the pain in her past and looked toward the future as she said: "I've definitely made peace with it all. And that’s why I’m ready for the next chapter. I want my children, I want the cat, I want the dog, I want my child.
"I will hopefully be the best mum on Earth - but everyone says that, don’t they?"
In a short clip, which shows her in what is understood to be a therapy class, Gemma said: “I was getting overwhelming emotion and I couldn’t cope with it.
“It is something that I have buried for 20 years.”
In the film, Gemma reveals her self-harm experiences to loved ones, including her mother Joan and boyfriend Rami Hawash.
In the trailer, Hawash says: “I was shocked. You done something to yourself. Why did you do it?”
Having kept the details of her struggles private, Gemma is seen in tears, adding: “It’s not like a normal conversation you can have with someone.
“I never told anyone, because it was shameful, I was scared.
“I wish I was brave enough to ask for the help, I could’ve saved myself a lot of pain.”
As part of the documentary, Gemma explored how bullying, self-esteem issues and the impact of social media can contribute to young people starting to self-harm.
Gemma Collins: Self Harm And Me aired on Channel 4 and All 4 on February 16 at 9pm and is available to catch up on.
For support on dealing with self-harm see mind.org.uk/selfharm or call Mind's confidential Infoline on 0300 123 3393. For further help or advice, please visit here.
To sign up for the Nottinghamshire Live newsletter click here
