EXCLUSIVE: Actress Helen Flanagan opens up about tackling her mental health and putting the kids first, telling OK! 'I went into survival mode – I was breaking down'
As she poses with her three children by the tranquil Merseyside coast in what is possibly her most candid interview ever, it’s obvious actress Helen Flanagan has come a long way since the “very scary” psychosis episode she thought might rob her of everything she holds dear.
“Without sounding dramatic, it can be emotionally traumatising going through something like that,” she tells us. “I don’t see it as a break-up, I see it as a divorce. We were together for 13 years and have three children. But instead of processing it all, I threw myself into work and shut off my emotions. I just went into survival mode. Then it all came to the surface earlier this year and I was mentally and physically breaking down.
“My mum’s an amazing Grandma, and my dad’s an amazing Grandad, I was very fortunate and very lucky to have that help,” she says. “It was so hard, but I wanted to do what was best for the kids, and that was the right decision at the time. I saw them every day because it was important for them to see me getting stronger.”
“I’ve done a lot of healing and recovering. I’ve realised that yes, I love work, but actually my kids need me at home more than I have been. Having that time off was actually healthy, it changed my life in a way,” she says. “I stay at home, watch TV, do some Pilates or go for a run or a swim. It’s important we don’t lose ourselves as mums. I love my children more than anything but we don’t own our kids – we bring them up, love them, give them everything, then you have to let them go. So, it’s important I still have my own identity. I want them to see me as fearless.”
“Just because we’re mums doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate ourselves and be sexy, right? I love to dress sexy and I’ve always done lingerie modelling – it’s empowering. I’m all for women embracing their bodies and feeling good. I get a bit stick for it on social media, but so what? I’ve been in the public eye since I was young, so I’m used to it all. But I’m very much a free spirit and just like to be myself, I don’t let other people bother me,” she says.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Helen Flanagan drops major hint that she's dating again in cryptic postFormer ITV Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has dropped a major hint that she's dating again in cryptic post following split from footballer Scott Sinclair
Read more »
Helen Flanagan nearly bursts out of her black bikini as she poses for sexy swimwear snap...Helen Flanagan makes hint she’s dating again after sharing cyrptic quote about ‘talking stage’
Read more »
Helen Flanagan makes hint she’s dating again after sharing cyrptic quote about ‘talking stage’...Helen Flanagan makes hint she’s dating again after sharing cyrptic quote about ‘talking stage’
Read more »
Fans say same thing as Helen Flanagan posts adorable picture of daughterThe ex-Coronation Street star posted a collection of photos of herself and youngest daughter, Delilah
Read more »
Helen Flanagan’s ex Scott Sinclair’s mystery woman revealedThey've reportedly known each other since 2014.
Read more »
Helen Flanagan's ex 'moves on with model that Corrie star has known for years'Former Celtic star Scott Sinclair is said to have moved on after he and Helen Flanagan called their engagement off in July 2022.
Read more »