01 January 2023 , 15:46
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Sarah Lancashire, who returns to our TV screens this evening, once bravely recalled being diagnosed with clinical depression at the age of 18 and how her twenties were "a write off" due to poor mental health.
The Happy Valley actress, now 58, detailed how she didn't tell anyone what she was going through as she spent chunks of the 1990s unable to get out of bed and even considered suicide when going through an "absolutely debilitating" mental health battle.
Sarah, who rose to national fame on Coronation Street, shared how being the public eye made her wary of talking openly about her struggles, but added that's "precisely what she should have done" - explaining how discussing taboo subjects can make a difference.
The star - who recently cracked America after 35-years in the spotlight - shared how she's "a little more together" these days but still has her "fantastic and debilitating patches".
Happy Valley returns to our screens this evening for its third and final series (PA)Most British TV fans first met Sarah when she first appeared on the cobbled streets of Weatherfield, playing much-loved barmaid Raquel Wolstenhulme in ITV soap Coronation Street.
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Since quitting the soap in 1996 - returning briefly in 2000 - the mum-of-three has gone on to become a national treasure thanks to appearing in British productions such as Where The Heart Is, Clocking Off and Sally Wainwright’s Bafta award-winning crime drama Happy Valley.
But at the start of her successful acting career in the 1990s, Sarah battled depression - with the actress describing her breakdown as "a timebomb waiting to go off".
Sara became a soap icon thanks to her stint playing Rovers Return barmaid Raquel (Granada Television)
The star quit the soap in the late 90s and went on to find major success as a dramatic actress (Granada Television)"I certainly didn’t tell anybody at the studios, and I didn’t take any time off," she said. "I was terrified of being judged and misunderstood. I just battled along," Sarah previously recalled in an interview.
"It was the worst thing I could have done. Being in the public eye makes you frightened to talk openly about things – which is precisely why you should. You can really make a difference and open up subjects that are taboo."
The award-winning actress went on to reveal to The Sun how she was diagnosed with clinical depression at the age of 18 and poignantly admits she's never known what it's like to wake up "full of the joys of spring" and spend the day feeling capable of coping.
Sarah has won multiple awards over the years (WireImage)Sarah spoke about her mental health battles in 2020 - detailing how her twenties were 'a write off' thanks to suffering from depression.
The Happy Valley star told how she was 'a genius at hiding' her struggles, as she explained how depression made her life hard a jobbing actress before landing her Coronation Street role.
Speaking previously, the star explained how she was terrified to let anyone know she was scared to get a train from Manchester to London to audition for roles.
The actress knows 'there will come a time' she may need medication for mental health issues again (PA)Sarah went on to share in 2020 how she has not taken medication for illnesses related to mental illness since 2011, but is comfortable with the fact that may change in the future.
"I know there will come a time when I'll have to, but for now it's OK," Sarah mused.
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*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch