Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide that some readers may find upsetting.
Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner has revealed she is taking a break from acting after the show ends to "focus on [her] mental health".
The Sansa Stark actress candidly opened up in a new interview about her mental health struggles since finding fame, admitting at one point she felt suicidal.
"I actually am still on my break, I took a break off of work to focus on my mental health because I thought it was important," she explained in an emotional chat on the Phil in the Blanks podcast.
"So I'm still on that, and I'm just about to go into press for the final season of Game Of Thrones and a movie Dark Phoenix that I did, the latest X-Men which is coming out in June, so I'm getting ready for a big press tour for that."
Explaining her struggles further, Turner said: "I've suffered with my depression for five or six years now. The biggest challenge for me is getting out of bed and getting out of the house. Learning to love yourself is the biggest challenge."
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The actress elaborated: "It's weird. I say I wasn't very depressed when I was younger, but I used to think about suicide a lot when I was younger. I don't know why though.
"Maybe it's just a weird fascination I used to have, but yeah, I used to think about it. I don't think I ever would have gone through with it. I don't know."
The actress explained how social media was a big factor in her mental health issues, notably comments about her body which made her feel "very, very self-conscious".
However, she credited therapy, medication and her relationship with Joe Jonas in helping her with her struggles.
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As for what she wants to do next, Turner admitted she would like to change course and become a police offer, revealing: "I want to do a lot of things, and not just in the film world. At the moment I have a real urge to go to a police academy and become a cop.
"I'm fascinated by crime and why people do things and the interrogation process, and how you can manipulate your words in order to get someone to confess, that's something that really interests me."
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), and Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
