Entertainment
Gemma Collins to open up about experience of self-harm in upcoming documentary
Gemma Collins hopes speaking out about self-harm will help others to open up (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Gemma Collins is set to speak out about her experience with self-harm for the first time in a new documentary as she hopes it will help others going through the same thing.
The reality star, 40, has teamed up with mental health charity Mind for Gemma Collins: Self Harm & Me which will air on Channel 4, to highlight the rise in cases of self-harm in the last decade.
An source told The Sun: ‘Gemma and Channel 4 have worked closely together with Mind to make this new film that will come out later this year.
‘The rates of self-harm have soared by 70 per cent in the past decade, with a third of 16 to 25 year old’s saying they have self-harmed at some point. Gemma wanted to do something to help raise awareness on the topic.
‘She has never spoken before publicly about her experience of self-harming but believes by using her platform and speaking about how it affected her, she can ultimately help others.’
They added that the Towie star hopes that her speaking out will also help others to realise they are not alone and to ask for help.
The Towie star has never spoken publicly about self-harming before (Picture: Instagram)
‘This is a side to Gemma rarely seen by anyone outside of her inner circle and is deeply personal,’ they added.
‘However she feels by speaking out and telling her story, she will help others to reach out and talk to someone before it’s too late.’
Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor Lee Murray added: ‘Gemma Collins has taken the brave decision to open up about her own experience with self-harm.
‘As an instantly recognisable and relatable figure we applaud her courage in revealing her own struggles, and hope this film and her insight will spark vitally important conversations around young people and self-harm.’
Gemma, seen here with ex James Argent, has worked with mental health charity Mind on the new documentary (Picture: David Fisher/REX)
The charity Mind added: ‘Our research at Mind has also shown that when people in the public eye speak about their mental health, it encourages others to do the same – as many as one in five people have spoken to a loved one as a direct result of seeing a celebrity speak out.
‘This demonstrates how vital it is that people in the public eye continue to speak honestly about their mental health experiences, including coping mechanisms like self-harm.
‘Mind is working with Channel 4 to ensure the issues covered are handled sensitively and portrayed accurately.
More: Channel 4
‘We hope that this storyline will help to build a greater understanding of why some young people use self-harm as a way to deal with poor mental health, and that it will encourage viewers who are struggling to get the support they need.’
Gemma Collins: Self Harm & Me is due to be released later in the year on Channel 4.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
