I’m not ashamed for seeking help

JULIA Bradbury was inspired to teach her children about the importance of mental health by her own brush with depression.

The ex-Countryfile and Watchdog host struggled in her 30s and had professional counselling.

Julia, 50, said: “I needed help. There is absolutely nothing shameful in that at all.”

So she makes mental well-being a top priority for son Zephyrus, nine, and six-year-old twin girls Xanthe and Zena.

She said: “I talk a lot to my children about feeling happy and feeling sad and communicating those feelings.

“Childhood shouldn’t be burdened with enormous problems, but that doesn’t mean you have to shelter them – you can teach them about resilience.”

As well as chats over how they are feeling, Julia involves them in nature every day, describing it as “the best medicine available”.

She said: “I was bullied at school, but when I came home I could escape.

“In today’s world that is no longer the case. Kids are bullied even in the sanctuary of their own homes. We live in extremely anxious times. Social media is exposing children to a barrage of information.

“Our 24-hour-a-day lives and being constantly switched on gives rise to anxiety.”

Julia found help for her own struggles with three months of talking therapy. She said: “My doctor said to me, ‘You might be depressed. Go and see somebody.’

“I felt I could talk to someone who was disconnected from my life, who could give non-judgmental and unbiased advice.”

Julia is one of several celebrities opening up about their difficulties to smash the stigma around mental ill-health.

Experts say the pandemic’s effect on mental health will be felt for a long time to come, prompting calls during this Mental Health Awareness Week for the Government to focus on the issue in its recovery plans.

Julia said: “Outdoors has been my best therapist. I can absolutely guarantee getting outside helps.”