DJ Greg James has spoken about going for therapy during a national radio broadcast in support of Comic Relief.
Greg was praised after opening up about his mental health during a discussion on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, one of the country’s biggest radio programmes with around 5.6 million daily listeners.
It took place during the station’s LOLathon, a 24-hour broadcast by fellow Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills and his co-host Chris Stark for Comic Relief.
“The last couple of weeks I have not been feeling that great, every now and then,” Greg said. “I have been struggling a little bit. I had quite a bad anxiety attack last night.
“I always think that I am very fortunate that I have an amazing family, a brilliant wife, an amazing mum and dad, loads of brilliant friends near me who can always pick me up.
“I do actually go and see a therapist and I am lucky enough to be able to afford to do that.
“There are a lot of people who can’t do that, that need that support network, and this is what the money goes to.
“Comic Relief will distribute that money and help people who can’t afford to go to see a therapist."
Everyone struggles
Promoting positive mental health has been a priority for Comic Relief’s funding in the UK for the last decade, with money invested in therapeutic services, services for young people, campaigning and policy change work, anti-stigma and discrimination work and maternal mental health.
Greg added: “It is a brilliant thing to do.
“Of course, that should happen because everyone struggles from time-to-time. My story is in no way unique. That is a widespread situation that loads of people go through.
“I guess you just don’t know what’s going on in someone’s head.
“This is to help the people who feel they have no-one else to turn to,” he added.
What a bloke!
Greg was praised on social media by listeners.
@LemonadeLifeox posted on Twitter: “So impressed that @gregjames opened up about his own mental health struggles this morning on the radio! It’s very hard to share your issues and It shows that it can affect anyone.”
@Ryan_Connor94 added: “Credit to @gregjames talking openly and honestly about his mental health struggles on air. What a bloke!”
And @GingerLilli tweeted: “Love @scott_mills, @Chris_Stark and @gregjames talking so openly about mental health on the @comicrelief #LOLathon - we need to be having these conversations as often as we're talking about the weather...which by the way...is absolutely all over the place today...”
If you have been affected by any issues in this article, you can speak to a BACP counsellor or psychotherapist via our directory.