Coronation Street star Jamie Kenna has spoken about his experiences of panic attacks and depression.
The actor, who plays Phill Whittaker on the ITV soap, revealed he has suffered various mental health issues over the last decade or so.
"I want to use my platform to help people," he told The Mirror. "I'm a big, working-class guy who looks like he should be on a building site, but I'm not afraid to turn round and say if I'm scared or worried."
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Recalling his first panic attack in 2011, Kenna explained: "I'd swum the Channel only three months before and spent five-and-a-half hours swimming Windermere, but I pushed my luck.
"It was December, I was out in the Channel and the sea was too big and freezing cold and I went too far out. I had my first panic attack but I happened to have it in the middle of the ocean. I was about 200m out and it was a very exposing moment."
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He added: "I thought that I was invincible, but when I got myself into trouble it opened a can of worms. I suddenly became aware of my own mortality and that triggered a lot of anxiety, panic attacks and depression."
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Speaking further about suffering a mental breakdown in 2014 while appearing on stage in War Horse, Kenna said: "I was completely melting down and knew something was wrong. I was going to the doctor – I thought it was my heart or brain."
However, he has since been through therapy: "Now I understand it. I'm not afraid to turn to my wife and say, 'I'm having a bit of a moment'. As soon as you say it out loud, it helps calm you down."
The actor also revealed that he has since returned to swimming, admitting: "I'm a lot more fearful now, but I think that's a good thing because I'm a lot more respectful of the ocean."
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
