Martine McCutcheon praised for inspiring post about mental health struggles
Martine McCutcheon has been praised by fans for opening up about her mental health battles in a candid post shared to Instagram.
To reflect the fact that mental health struggles can impact us differently at different times, she shared two images, taken on separate occasions.
In the first photo, she was looking reflective as she sat inside wearing a woollen hat, while in the second she looked much more upbeat as she walked her dog in a park.
In the accompanying caption, McCutcheon spoke about her own personal issues, while praising those who face their own mental health struggles.
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"To those who battle with any kind of mental health issue & yet put on their make up, or get up & fight for another day, or try new ways to live, love, & generally work their way through this thing called life - I salute you," the star wrote.
"Sometimes it's far from easy. I've always been pretty open about my health issues - Both mental & physical but there is also so much more to me - So it's something I've touched on rather than focused on. I didn't want any kind of victim label, as I actually feel the opposite of that."
McCutcheon went on to say that while she likes to think of herself as "brave" and an "optimist" she had been experiencing a "time of struggle recently".
The former Eastenders star praised the "special people" around her while admitting that though she'd felt able to "bounce back" in other times in her life, it had been a "bit tougher" to do so recently.
Going on to say she recognises that by being honest about her own struggles, some may be "put off by a part of you that isn't so shiny, bubbly & sellable.
"But the truth is that we are much more than other people's definitions of us. What IS lovely about being older (but better) is that I don’t mind if people like this part of me less.
"I do care about mental health and those of you that struggle. I know it can [be] hard. But please don't ever lose hope for long. I've found some amazing people on insta alone that are so wise, kind and caring."
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To conclude her candid post, she reassures others going through similar struggles, that they are not alone.
"My point of this post is that You are not alone. Talking about this has helped me a lot. Do what you need to do for YOU. I think so many of you are SO brave. All my love. MM," she writes.
After sharing her honest post, McCutcheon was quickly inundated with support from her followers, with many thanking the mum-of-one for speaking out about her mental health.
"Good post," one fan wrote. "Life can be tough, January has been especially bad. I’m low at the moment, but I know it’ll get brighter soon."
"You speaking openly on here really helps us all to be more open and honest," another commented. "I think all of us who deal with mental health daily are super special really."
"It’s always reassuring to know that people who we think are fine have all the same insecurities and mental health as we do … and every day is a struggle," another user added.
Others shared their own experiences of battling a mental health condition.
"Thanks for that post Martine and your honesty," one user wrote. "I too have ME and have suffered with chemical depression for years - people need to talk about their mental health, there shouldn't be a stigma about it. i hope u feel mentally well again soon, keep going everyday."
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McCutcheon has previously opened up about suffering “migraines from hell” as a result of Lyme disease and fibromyalgia.
The star, who is mother to a six-year-old son with her husband Jack McManus, has suffered several health issues.
In 2011 she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome and can cause extreme tiredness.
She was later diagnosed with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks, which causes a range of health problems.
The NHS says that fibromyalgia “is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body”.
McCutcheon isn't the only star to discuss their mental health battles. Fearne Cotton recently shared her own experiences of suffering "blueness" amid her ongoing mental health journey.
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With a history of depression, Cotton acknowledges she isn't immune to low days or painful outcomes, but says she's not lugging her past around with her anymore.
"Today I choose to stay in the moment which is a feeling of gratitude for a lunch break walk in the sun! What a joy," she wrote on Instagram.
"For those of you tackling hard stuff at the moment I send you love. From my own personal experience and from the plethora of individuals I've interviewed who have often been to hell and back, I know you'll get through it. It might be sticky, painful and soul destroying but you will feel that sun on your face again one day," she says.
"I don't want that to sound flippant or whimsical or to be triggering, I just believe it to be true."
Bella Hadid also recently talked openly about her struggles with mental health, sharing how therapy has helped her not only to find joy in her own life but also to mend relationships across her family.
