Jason Manford opens up about anxiety and depression

Jason Manford has opened up about going through anxiety and depression, saying at his lowest he felt like he had let his family down and could no longer do his job.

The comedian spoke about his mental health in a video posted on Facebook and Instagram, saying he wanted to let fans know why he has not been using social media much this year.

Speaking to his 1.3 million followers, he said he had decide to share his own issues following the death of former Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis earlier this year.

“At the beginning of the year I had a bit of a health scare and I wouldn’t go as far as to say a breakdown, but I had a struggle mentally and I found it very difficult to deal with,” Manford said.

He said he “cracked on and got through it, as we all have to do”, but that it has taken until now “to be brave enough to say it”.

He continued: “I’ve been struggling, you know, finding things hard, and I think social media can sometimes really not help with that.”

The stand-up comedian, from Salford, Greater Manchester, said his decision to take time away from social media had not only been prompted by abusive trolls and “nastiness”, but because he also found himself constantly comparing his life with other people’s.

“You see people saying what they’re up to and what they’re doing and their house always seems lovely and tidy and the kids seem well behaved, and they always look nice and slim,” he said. “There are lots of reasons – you compare yourself to them.”

Manford admitted he had “felt stupid” feeling the way he did despite having “a lovely life and all these things to be grateful for”.

The former 8 Out Of 10 Cats team captain said that at his lowest he felt like “I’d let my kids down and I couldn’t do my job anymore”.

He urged people suffering to talk – “especially blokes” – and asked fans to remember that “just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing”.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK

(c) Sky News 2019: Jason Manford opens up about anxiety and depression