Former Hollyoaks star Joe Tracini has shared an empowering message about mental health on Twitter, after a member of the public suggested his anxiety wasn't 'that bad'.
In a frank and emotional video on Twitter, Joe – who recently reprised his role as Dennis Savage on the Channel 4 soap – reflected on his own "relentless" battle with his mental health.
Addressing the person who confronted him about his anxiety, Joe insisted: "Just because I've got a mental health problem doesn't mean I can't do stuff! Okay? It really is that bad.
Related: Hollyoaks star Joe Tracini opens up about depression struggle during emotional interview on Lorraine
"Do you want to know the conversation that I've got going on in my head 80% of the time with my own voice? [It's] basically just, 'Everybody hates you'. 'You should just stop talking and kill yourself'.""
The actor went on to call the arguments of those who doubt people's experiences with mental health "invalid". "That's what I'm living with," he explained.
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[Tracini as Dennis Savage in Hollyoaks]
"You have to respect people who are living with a school bully in their own head, because that's what's happening. It's relentless and it doesn't give up.
"It's people like you that stop people like me from being able to talk about it, and if I don't talk about it, I have to listen to that chat – and that does not end well."
Calling for a more open and respectful conversation on mental illness, Joe asked that people "pick up people that are down and line up behind people that are standing up."
He continued: "If you don't understand something, then listen to the people that are trying to explain it so you can learn to help."
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. 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 or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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