Topics: Celebrity, Lily Allen, Music, Mental Health
Lily Allen has revealed she’s taking a career break after bravely detailing her heartbreaking mental health struggles.
The 39-year-old 'Smile' singer explained why she'd be away for a 'few weeks' on her highly popular Miss Me? podcast, which she hosts alongside her longtime friend, Miquita Oliver.
In a recent episode, Lily shared: "I'm finding it hard to be interested in anything, I'm really not in a good place."
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She went on to tell listeners, as per Mail Online: "I know I've been talking about it for months but I've been spiralling and spiralling. It's got out of control, I've tried.
"I came to the Miss Me? Christmas lunch and had a panic attack and had to go home and then I went to see something at the theatre the other night with my friends and I had to leave at half time.
"I can't concentrate on anything except the pain I'm going through. It's really hard."
Lily assured fans, however, that she was in good hands, as her two daughters, Ethel, 13, and Marnie, 11, who she shares with ex Sam Cooper, have been a great support network.
"I can say, it's really tough - they are always there and you have to be present and there for them," the 'LDN' star continued. "And that's okay, when things in life are going well and you're coping it's really nice to have the kids around they're a joy.
"One of the main sources of joy in one's life. But when things are not going so well and life is tough, as it is for many people for all manner of reasons, having to hold things together is really hard."
Opening up about her 'support network', Lily carried on: "We are a support network for each other and encourage each other to talk about or feelings but I think the main thing is telling them we're going to get through it and be fine."
Elsewhere in the chat, Lily explained she'd be 'going away' for a few weeks to take some time for herself, but wanted to reassure fans of the rumours which could follow her departure.
"I do want to reassure people because there will be speculation because of the amount of time I'm going to be taking away that I'm going to drug rehab - I've not, I've not relapsed," she confirmed.
"I've seen some horrible blind items on the internet that I was found in a crack den by my husband being surrounded by men. I don't know who is spreading these vicious rumours but it's not true."
Lily went on to declare: "It all comes back to the phones. They aren't doing us any good. They certainly aren't doing me any good at the moment. I really don't like my phone.
"I'm as guilty of that as anyone else, what I'm very excited about where I'm going over the next few weeks is that I'm not allowed my phone."
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
