Samaritans ambassador Scarlett Moffatt opens up about her struggles with mental health
10th-16th May is Mental Health Awareness Week
Last updated 10th May 2021
TV star Scarlett Moffatt has shared her own experiences and advice on how she copes with her mental health as we recognise Mental Health Awareness Week, from the 10th to 16th May.
The former queen of the I’m A Celebrity jungle has been a TV fan favourite for many years now, since bursting on to our screens on Gogglebox in 2014.
Scarlett is an ambassador for mental health charity Samaritans, who provide support for anyone struggling to cope, 24 hours a day on their dedicated volunteer led helpline.
Speaking to Fleur East and the Hits Radio Breakfast team, Scarlett described how she had used Samaritans herself in the past. She said: “I rang the Samaritans about five years ago because things got quite on top of me and they were just so helpful."
She added how proud she was to be associated with the charity. "Honestly, I still can’t believe it. I got a little lump in my throat when they told me.
“I am lucky that I have quite a big platform and I could help other people. The thing is, with Samaritans, people assume that it’s a suicide prevention line, which it is, but it is also there if you feel lonely, if you’re worried, if you’re worried about finances, so I think it is such a wonderful charity which helps so many people.
“I messaged them on Instagram and asked if they needed me to post anything or anything I could do and that’s just been going for years. Then they asked if I wanted to be an ambassador and I said yes!”
Scarlett has also been speaking to us about our ongoing campaign, Where's Your Head At?, that aims to make a mental health first aid a legal requirement in the workplace.
Scarlett said, "I think having mental health first aiders in the workplace is such an amazing idea. It's going to break down stigma and help people open up. Sometimes you don’t want to speak to someone who knows you inside out… it is really important to have a trained stranger there to help."
Watch Scarlett Moffatt open up about her mental health:
Find out more about Where's Your Head At?
In June 2020, following the first Covid-19 lockdown, mental health charity Mind conducted a survey of 16,000 people and found that ‘more than two thirds of adults with mental health problems reported that their mental health got worse during lockdown.’
Scarlett shared how she continues to cope with the isolation brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. She said: “I made sure that I kept in touch with people because it’s so easy to be in your own bubble, sitting in your house because you’re on your own. Especially when my boyfriend goes to work!
“I would make a little schedule for myself, get up, get dressed, bit of mascara on, do a TikTok or two. I planned Facetimes and daily walks with my friends and family which was nice. The walks have helped me a lot. I used to get Uber round the corner but now I’m like a rambler, I’m walking for miles!”
Like so many of us, Scarlett has learned a lot over the course of the last year and describes how lockdown has changed her life.
“I learned to appreciate loved ones and to make time for people because that is what has got me through, spending time with loved ones. Try and take time and look after yourself and make sure that you are constantly surrounded by people you love.”
She also offered advice on how to cope if you’re struggling with the pressures of social media.
“I think social media plays a huge part in people’s mental health, because everyone is looking on social media and thinking everyone has got their life together. Side note, we haven’t!
“I know this sounds ridiculous, but delete people that make you feel sad about your life. We don’t have to follow people that make us feel sad, it’s no disrespect to that person. But if someone always looks like they’ve got their life together and that’s a trigger for you, just don’t follow them.”
You can find out more information about the Samaritans via their website. You can also read more about Mental Health Awareness Week and access resources on their dedicated website.
Take a look at these former Gogglebox stars, including Scarlett:
The Moffatts then
Arguably the shows biggest export, Scarlett Moffatt has gone on to do some incredible things since leaving the show in 2016, winning I'm a Celeb and landing presenting roles on Extra Camp and Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
The Moffatts now
The rest of the family are still thick as thieves, as Scarlett's recent tribute to her dad Mark proves. After Scarlett gained celeb status, the whole family were axed, leaving Scarlett gutted – but they're certainly enjoying her celeb status, with "secret" little sister Ava making pals with Joe Swash's son Harry, and glitzy parties galore. The family also starred together with Scarlett's nan on a reality series called The Tribe Next Door in 2019, where they travelled to the Namibian desert to live with indigenous people of the area.
The Tappers then
The Tappers were the super loud family of four from North London, but had their spot on Gogglebox rescinded after Amy's stint on Celebs Go Dating, due to the producers "no celebs" rule.
The Tappers now
But despite returning to their day jobs the family are still as tight knit as ever, with Nikki and Jonathon recently celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary.
Jonathon – a chauffer - has recently shed 3 and half stone and is almost unrecognisable from his Gogglebox days and son Josh is a budding politician.
Sandi and Sandra then
Sandi first crashed onto our screens alongside best friend Sandra, with their incredible nails and plentiful takeaways, and had to deny claims they'd fallen out after Sandra seemingly made a dig at Sandi's 'celebrity' lifestyle after leaving the show.
Sandi now
She's since gone on to do a number of reality TV projects including CBB in 2017 and Famous and Fighting Crime last year, and is an aspiring soul singer.
She's also the cousin of Naomi Campbell.
Sandra and Chanchez then
Sandra decided to stay on the show for a time after Sandi left, and enlisted her daughter Chanchez to keep her company on the sofa.
Sandra now
Despite her fame and status as one of the most popular Goggleboxers ever, Sandra admitted to us last year that she was "broke" and moving into an over 55 home after being homeless for months.
Last year she announced she would be getting married to her unnamed boyfriend, but from her social media still looks to be single.
George Gilbey then
Another 'boxer deemed 'too sleb' for the sofa, George Gibley's time on Gogglebox came to an end after he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, coming fourth, and snogging celebrity ladies Stephanie Pratt AND Edele Lynch.
George Gilbey now
After a brief return to the show, George's life has taken a distinctly less glamorous turn, and last year narrowly avoiding prison when he was charged with trying to strangle his ex-girlfriend while their daughter slept upstairs.
Steph and Dom then
Steph and Dom Parker are another Gogglebox family to have done very well for themselves since leaving the show in 2017. Their excellent comedic chemistry has landed them their own radio show on talkRadio, and they've hosted a number of telly shows, like 2014's Steph and Dom meet Nigel Farage.
Steph and Dom now
But there's a serious side to the Sandwich dwelling, B&B owning couple, too. Earlier this year they hosted an investigative documentary looking into medical marijuana, as parents to severely epileptic son Max, 18.
Mummy Pat then
Pat Webb is the mother of OG 'boxer Stephen Webb and temporarily stepped in to replaced his ex and friend Chris when he left in 2017 (more on that in a bit).
Mummy Pat now
We haven't seen much of Mummy Pat since she left the show, and viewers weren't happy to see her go, but she did rock a fascinator fabulously for Stephen's wedding to husband Daniel Lustig.
Christopher Ashby-Steed then
Christopher Ashby-Steed joined Stephen Webb on the first EVER episode of Gogglebox in 2013. At first they were in a romantic relationship – but after they broke up, decided to continue working together on the show.
Christopher Ashby-Steed now
However, things eventually turned pretty sour between the two, and earlier this year Chris gave an interview with The Mirror where he claimed Stephen had "bullied" him off the show.
"A year on, I've finally had the courage to stand up to a bully and start to tell the story of how @Stephenwebb71 forced of off @C4Gogglebox and how it's affected my mental health since," he tweeted, adding that he'd received no mental health aftercare, which is an "industry-wide failing".
He's found his happy ever after, though, wit a new husband.
Leon and June then
Leon and June Bernicoff were the hilarious elderly couple who had us alternatively in stitches/tears from the first episode, up until Leon's tragic death in December 2017.
Deciding not to continue on the show without her husband, June has largely stepped out of the limelight but occasionally gives interviews, and wrote a memoir about her 62 year marriage called Leon and June: Life, Love and Laughter – Our Story.
Leon and June now
After leaving the show, June revealed to Graham Norton, "He hadn't been very well over the weekend, and I suggested he didn't do it.
"But he said] 'I'm sitting here in my Christmas jumper waiting to entertain the nation!' Bit of a diva, really."
June [also passed away in 2020, less than three years after her husband.
Silent Jay then
One of the most iconic Goggleboxers of all time, Silent Jay – AKA Jay Makin – gained legions of fans with his hilarious facial expressions. He was the boyfriend of Eve Woerdenweber, but left the show after they split.
Silent Jay now
After his departure in the show in 2015, Jay told The Sun, "I get recognised as that guy who never speaks — and most people get shocked by how much I talk. I am generally quite talkative.
"They just edit the bits where I talk out."
Now read:
Mental health matters: Here's where to get help and advice for you and others
I'm A Celebrity: Everything you need to know