Yasmin Le Bon has opened up on her daily battle with depression in a touching interview with Red Magazine.
The 50-year-old supermodel revealed: "I have had real depression. It’s a running battle every day and I’ve worked very hard at it."
Le Bon is married to Duran Duran singer, Simon Le Bon. The couple live with their three daughters: Amber, 25, Saffron, 23, and Tallulah, 20, in a household which she describes as "complete and utter chaos".
Yasmin Le Bon (right) pictured with daughter, Amber Le Bon (left)
Opening up about her mental health issues, the mother-of-three said that she is "in control" of her depression "but it's there all the time".
She also admitted that she's never taken antidepressants.
"You’ve got to know you are going to get out of it," she said. "It may take time, but you will. I haven’t [taken medication] but I would if I felt myself really on the edge and needed extra help."
Roughly one in four people in the UK will experience some kind of mental health problem this year, with mixed anxiety and depression being the most common mental disorders.
Yasmin Le Bon joins the growing number of celebrities who have recently opened up about their struggles with a mental illness.
Camilla Swain, celebrities and ambassadors manager for mental health charity, Mind, tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle that this has a positive impact on others, because it inspires them to do the same.
"Shared experiences of recovery can prompt people to ask for help with their own problems and can break down the stigma that still surrounds mental health, sparking conversations that may otherwise never have happened," explains Swain.
Research by Mind has shown that 25% of people said hearing a celebrity talk openly about their own mental health had directly inspired them to seek help or get support for themselves.
In turn, over a third of those asked said seeing celebrities stories had prompted them to start a conversation with a friend or loved one about mental health.
"This shows how vital it is that those in the public eye continue to speak candidly in the media," Swain adds.
In her interview, Le Bon highlighted the importance of seeking help if you're struggling for months and months with no progress.
"If your body’s not producing what it should be, then there’s nothing you’re going to be able to do about it. We have the science, knowledge and understanding to put it right. You’re not a failure, it’s an illness."
Useful websites and helplines:
- Samaritans, open 24 hours a day, on 08457 90 90 90
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Young Minds offers information to young people about mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Students Against Depression, a website by students, for students.
- HopeLine runs a confidential advice helpline if you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide. Mon-Fri 10-5pmand 7pm-10pm. Weekends 2pm-5pm on 0800 068 41 41
- HeadMeds - a straight-talking website on mental health medication
- Student Minds supports students across the UK to bring about positive change on their campuses through campaigning and facilitating peer support programmes. To join the community or launch a student group contact the charity on hello@studentminds.org.uk