Ex-EastEnders actress Rita Simons opens up about "dark places" for her mental health
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Former EastEnders star Rita Simons has reflected on the "dark places" her mind went to in recent years.
During a candid interview with The Mirror, Rita spoke about her mental health struggles, and went on to add that regular therapy has been essential for her wellbeing, saying: "I don't think I'd have survived without help."
"I've had therapy for my OCD since I was 14 and the same psychologist has helped me. I've also seen a therapist," Rita said.
Related: EastEnders' Rita Simons reveals how close friendship with Samantha Womack helped her through divorce
Recalling her stint on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here back in 2018, and what she was going through at the time, she added: "The jungle [producers] were amazing and I also saw their psychologist. I knew in the jungle that I was getting divorced and no-one else did.
"I had cameras on me all day – that did my head in. You don't know what's going on in the outside world."
Related: EastEnders stars Samantha Womack and Rita Simons reunite in cute picture
Rita, who played Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders, added: "There were days where, I wouldn't say I was suicidal, because I've never got to that point and I would never do it, but I was aware life would be better dead than alive, because I couldn't see my kids and I was so far from home.
"My mind went to some major dark places... It was scary to even have those thoughts. I can say it was one of the worst times of my life."
Rita added: "I really have come out the other side. I'm the happiest I've ever been. I was working non-stop and doing well, but I was desperately unhappy – not that anyone would have known."
She also opened up about her partner Ben Harlow in the interview, describing him as "the sweetest, kindest man I've ever met" and adding: "He was one of the friends that had it not been for him... I wouldn't have made it through."
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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