Imogen Anthony has revealed her battle with mental health issues – and urged others to seek help if they’re suffering the way she has.
The model, 29, has joined forces with the charity NeuRa, which is raises funds for research into mental health and brain disorders.
Imogen told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday: ‘I’ve been through almost a lifetime of clinical depression, anxiety, self harm, body dysmorphia and so much more’.
Candid: Imogen Anthony (pictured) has revealed her battle with mental health issues – and urged others to seek help if they’re suffering the way she has. The model, 29, has joined forces with the charity NeuRa, which is supporting people’s mental well-being though COVID-19
She went on to reveal that campaigns like NeuRa are so important during the global pandemic, which has worsened the mental health of many sufferers, including Imogen herself.
‘This year has been harder than most because of the current pandemic,’ she said, adding, ‘Don’t be afraid to open the conversation. It may save a life. It saved mine’.
Imogen urged people ‘not to be ashamed’ to reach out to services like Lifeline if they’re struggling.
Imogen told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday: ‘I’ve been through almost a lifetime of clinical depression, anxiety, self harm, body dysmorphia and so much more’
Hard days: ‘This year has been harder than most because of the current pandemic,’ she said, adding, ‘Don’t be afraid to open the conversation. It may save a life. It saved mine’
Last year, the influencer shared an emotional Instagram post discussing her experiences with body dysmorphia, self-harm and overeating.
‘I grew up with zero self confidence and was far from ‘skinny’,’ Imogen began, while attaching modelling pictures from a Sydney runaway show in 2014.
‘I either attempted to self harm – or I turned to the bakery and ate the s*** load of hot chips you got for $2 from the local shop. I was depressed,’ she wrote.
Imogen said that she took up modelling in order to mask her anxieties.
Reach out: Imogen urged people ‘not to be ashamed’ to reach out to services like Lifeline if they’re struggling
Pain: Last year, the influencer shared an emotional Instagram post discussing her experiences with body dysmorphia, self-harm and overeating, revealing that that she took up modelling in order to mask her anxieties
‘I started to rebel. I signed myself out of school mid year 11… I took myself to Sydney where I lost a s*** load of weight at around 17.
‘I didn’t have anorexia (as still ate a lot, just less) I had a borderline body dysmorphia and saw something different to what everyone else saw. I hated myself for a while there.’
Imogen : ‘If I was any weaker and had seen the things I had seen about myself, from people I’ve never even met, I’d be 6 foot under. I’ve come close.
Sharing a runway modelling photo from 2014 she wrote: ‘I had a borderline body dysmorphia and saw something different to what everyone else saw. I hated myself for a while there’
Imogen confessed: ‘Why do you think I have so many tattoos on my arms? You can cover scars, but they will be there forever. Physically AND mentally’
‘Why do you think I have so many tattoos on my arms? You can cover scars, but they will be there forever. Physically AND mentally.’
She then encouraged fans to think before they say anything to young people as ‘words are so effective.’
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact: Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE)
For urgent confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Careful: She then encouraged fans to think before they say anything to young people as ‘words are so effective’