Scarlett Moffatt has opened up about her struggles with anxiety in a bid to help others on World Mental Health Day, after once admitting that her worries left her “wanting to disappear”.
The County Durham presenter is backing a Government-led campaign urging people to be ‘kind to their mind’, after a study found that seven in 10 Brits experience the ‘Sunday Scaries’. She is also an ambassador for Samaritans, and regularly campaigns for better mental health support in schools.
The former Gogglebox star admitted that her own feelings of anxiety are often linked to her insecurities around work. Speaking to The Mirror , Scarlett explained that she has found ways to cope that include mindfulness and reaching out to loved ones.
The 31-year-old explained that her ‘Sunday Scaries’ often kick in when she is due to begin filming, leading to her questioning whether she will be able to do her job properly or colleagues will like her. Younger people between the ages of 18 and 34 are most affected by this common anxiety, according to research from The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
“It doesn't even matter how many years I've been doing this, I still want to perform well,” she said. “So that anxiety around getting my lines right, and hoping they want to work with me again all start.”
Scarlett explained that she copes with her anxiety by breaking her days down into small, manageable tasks when things get too much, writing down everything from getting out of bed to brushing her teeth to make things feel more manageable. “Rather than just thinking. ‘Argh, I’ve got 50 things to do!’, if you actually write them out they feel doable - you think 'I can do this’,” she advised.
The TV star also emphasised the importance of reaching out to someone to talk through things. Scarlett said that this was something she had to learn to do herself, initially worrying that she “didn’t want to be a burden”, but has since learned the importance of having friends and family around for support.
“Everyone thinks that I’m super bubbly and happy and nothing can touch me, but that’s not the case,” she said. “But I’ve realised that it’s absolutely fine to reach out, as your family and friends don’t want you to feel the way you’re feeling, and as soon as I call, after five minutes the anxiety has gone away and I’ve forgotten what I even rang them about.”
Scarlett also shares her mental health ups and downs on Instagram, and while she has had troubles with social media in the past added that it can be a “wonderful thing” to help when used for good. As well as connecting with others, she said that she now practices daily affirmations and mindfulness activities each day and recommends them to anyone else who may be struggling with their mental health.
“If you can spare five minutes a day, try a little bit of mindfulness, try saying kind things to yourself or going for a walk, even when it’s the last thing you feel like doing,” she urged. “Because you do feel more productive, getting a bit of fresh air and moving your body does help.”
If you are struggling with your mental health, contact the 24-hour Samaritans helpline on 116 123.
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