Union J star Josh Lloyd-Cuthbert has candidly spoken about how he checked into a mental health institute after struggling with the most ‘turbulent and awful year’.
The singer, 28, told how he spent eight days at the institution, which he described as the ‘toughest’ but ‘most inspiring and eye opening week’ of his life.
Josh previously appeared on This Morning in the summer where he revealed his mental health has been so badly affected he feared it could cost him his marriage to model Chloe Lloyd.
Honest: Union J star Josh Lloyd-Cuthbert has candidly spoken about how he checked into a mental health institute after struggling with the most ‘turbulent and awful year’
Candid: The singer, 28, told how he spent eight days at the institution, which he described as the ‘toughest’ but ‘most inspiring and eye opening week’ of his life
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday evening, Josh wrote: ‘Last week I checked myself into 8 days at a mental health institute. It was the toughest, most inspiring and eye opening week of my life.’
Explaining what led him to this point, he said: ‘After a turbulent and awful year with my mental health I knew a week away was what I needed to hand in my phone, no distractions, no contact with the outside world and actually focus on what was needed to be done on a course that focused primarily on CHANGE.’
Josh continued by admitting his busy lifestyle is full of distractions and he needed to go somewhere where he could face up to his issues.
He said: ‘I’ve barely processed the week myself, I can’t even begin to tell you the things I have learnt. I needed to go somewhere that was intense and full on because my life has so many distractions.’
Worried: Josh previously appeared on This Morning in the summer where he revealed his mental health has been so badly affected he feared it could cost him his marriage to model Chloe Lloyd
Speaking about the positivity he feels for the future, Josh added: ‘I met friends for life & tools I aim to carry with me forever. I’m now focused on being the best man I can be, the best husband I can be and the best friend I can be…..and most importantly be the happiest version of me.’
The former X Factor contestant reassured fans that he has missed them and is ‘safe and well’, but feeling ’emotionally drained’.
Encouraging others to reach out, he said: ‘If you’re struggling there’s always a road ahead to walk down and people who will help. Reach out to me whenever you need & thank you for all the lovely messages since I’ve been away. Hope you’re all good.’
Speaking out: Josh previously hinted he was struggling with his mental health earlier this month when he shared a picture of himself alongside a caption about it being a ‘process’
Josh previously hinted he was struggling with his mental health earlier this month when he shared a picture of himself alongside a caption about it being a ‘process’.
He wrote: ‘Mental health… is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.’
Ahead of his planned trip, Josh also paid homage to his wife Chloe as he posted a sweet snap of them together along with a thoughtful message.
He wrote: ‘I love this one so much ❤️ thanks for sticking up with my s**t every day. I know I’m not the easiest person in the world at times! But yeah you’re the best. (ps. Gonna miss you next week!)’
Love: Ahead of his planned trip, Josh also paid homage to his wife Chloe as he posted a sweet snap of them together along with a thoughtful message
The former boyband member previously admitted his battle with anxiety would affect his marriage to Chloe, and called into This Morning to seek help.
He took part in a segment on lockdown anxiety on the ITV show, with therapists Nik and Eva Speakman offering advice.
Josh admitted he was ‘shaking’ as he appeared via a video call from the home he shares with Chloe in Surrey.
Seeking help: The former boyband member previously admitted his battle with anxiety would affect his marriage to Chloe, and called into This Morning to seek help
Josh, rose to fame on The X Factor in 2012, but quit his band Union J in 2018. Appearing on This Morning, Josh explained that he felt now was the time to seek help with his anxiety.
‘I’ve been struggling with mental health for a long time. I’m a big fan of the show, so I just thought it was perfect for me to reach out,’ he said.
‘It was actually my wife who reached out to the Speakmans directly, she didn’t even tell me,’ he told the therapists and presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Explaining what makes him anxious, Josh went on: ‘The industry I’m in, the way I look, social occasions, everything. I can’t explain how many things I miss out of due to my mental health issues. I’m ready to feel free.’
Wife: Josh said his mental health has been so badly affected recently that he fears it could cost him his marriage to model Chloe
‘The way you look is everything. The idea of people judging me terrifies me, even now I’m shaking thinking about it.’
The Speakmans suggested Josh’s anxiety was present before he found fame, with the star agreeing.
Josh said: ‘I think [the anxiety] was there before, my parents split up, I was an only child and they both went on to have two children each.
‘Maybe then is when I started to compare myself, but now this industry has enhanced those feelings.’
Experts: Appearing on This Morning, Josh explained that he felt now was the time to seek help with his anxiety, and his wife had got in contact with the Speakmans
Admitting he even compares himself to his wife, Josh said: ‘I’m comparing myself to others all the time, I compared myself to my band before and now my wife.
‘I feel sorry for how she has to deal with it. The last thing I want to do is lose my marriage.’
Phil explained at the close of the segment that Josh will continue to have therapy sessions with the Speakmans in private, telling the singer: ‘You were very brave to do this publicly.’
‘This will change my life,’ Josh told the show.
Josh, who admitted lockdown has exacerbated his issues, previously spoke about his mental health on Instagram last September.
Insecurities: Explaining what makes him anxious, Josh went on: ‘The industry I’m in, the way I look, social occasions, everything’
The singer and model said that being dropped from Union J’s record label Sony was hard for him and he ‘hit rock bottom.’
‘There are days when I wake up in the morning and not really want to leave the house and stay in bed,’ Josh told his followers.
‘These are things that I’ve never told anybody about apart from my friends, my family and obviously my wife.’
The singer added that he became ‘angry, bitter and frustrated’ after being dropped, and ‘didn’t really enjoy the fame aspect – people stopping you on the street and asking for a picture’.
Speaking out: It was actually my wife who reached out to the Speakmans directly, she didn’t even tell me,’ he told the therapists and presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield
Therapy: Admitting he even compares himself to his wife, Josh said: ‘I’m comparing myself to others all the time, I compared myself to my band before and now my wife’
He continued: ‘I didn’t enjoy that until it started to slow down. You feel a bit worthless, nobody really cares anymore.’
Josh, who has modelled for Dolce and Gabbana alongside his singing career, also claimed he feels like his model wife’s ‘ugly other half’.
‘I massively struggle with anxiety, depression & the insecurities about my success and physical appearance that sometimes takes me to a really dark place.
‘As a man, it’s sometimes extremely difficult to open up to your mates & your family… but when you do – it makes a huge difference,’ he explained.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details
Support: Josh shared a photo of himself and his wife Chloe hugging shortly before he went live on This Morning
Proud: Chloe shared a shot of herself watching Josh on TV, writing she was ‘proud’ of her husband and thanking the show