Ben Fogle reveals secret breakdown after ‘burning out’ saying he was ‘vulnerable to pressures of modern life’
BEN Fogle has revealed he suffered a secret breakdown after ‘burning out’.
Presenter and adventurer Ben has hosted shows including Animal Park and Countryfile.
Since 2013, he has helmed Channel 5‘s Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild.
Taking to Instagram, the star wrote: “A year ago I suffered a mental health wobble.
“An episode. A storm. A blip.”
“I don’t know if there is a specific term for it but it was basically a burnt out, break down.
“I’ve been on quite a journey since I’ve learnt a lot about my neurological uniquenesses. And I’ve navigated the storm.”
Ben continued: “Through a mix of CBT, medicine, and now some alternative therapies I feel like my old self.
“Gone is the crippling paranoia and anxiety, replaced by my calm old self.
“I’m telling you this firstly because I believe as someone who shares my successes it’s important to also share our vulnerabilities.
“It is not to jump on some trend or for sympathy. It’s because if it happened to me, it can happen to you.”
He added: “But just like a broken bone or a pneumonia ravaged lung or even a flesh eating bug (all of which I have had). We can heal.
“They don’t define us or make us weak. They prove that we are human. Vulnerable to the pressures of modern life.
“A mental health trauma should not be a stigma but a reality check for the increasingly complicated world in which we live. What’s helped me is doing less and simplifying my life.
“Less social media. Less work. Less pressure to be perfect.
“The results are that I worry less.
“Stress less. Anger less Fixate less.”
“Giving me more time has helped me back to reality.
“To being me. Exactly the same person I have always been.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Simple Love, peace and simplicity.”
Last month, Ben revealed when the next series of Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild will return to screens.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the 50-year-old shared: “Another series of New Lives in the Wild should be on in January, on Channel 5. It’s been going for many, many years.
“And there are some really beautiful stories I really like bringing hidden stories to the masses as such.”