‘Went through a period of self-harm’ Eoghan McDermott opens up

In recent years, we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of high-profile names who have opened up about their personal struggles with mental illness.

And while so many of us seek to establish an open dialogue when it comes to issues surrounding mental health, we still have a long way to go.

In an effort to contribute to the conversation, 2FM presenter, Eoghan McDermott, has made the decision to chat openly about his experience of mental illness.

Speaking to The Independent, the popular presenter said: "A while ago, I was asked to be an ambassador for Pieta House."

"When I got to know all the great work they did [helping to prevent suicide and self-harm], I felt a little disingenuous being involved without being honest about my own situation."

The Voice of Ireland presenter admitted that there come a point some years ago when he realised he was in over his head and in desperate need of help.

While things may have been looking good on the outside, he was struggling to deal with relationship problems, saying: "I was in a good place in my life in terms of work. I was hosting a drive-time radio show on a famous London station, Xfm. But I had just broken up with a long-term girlfriend."

“I went through a period of self-harming and a little spate of depression. I was a bit withdrawn in myself. And also, I was in a new place, so I wasn’t surrounded by my regular family and friends," he explained. "I had never had any kind of emotional adversity before and I just didn’t handle it well."

The 33-year-old eventually sought help from a friend and insists that reaching out is so important.

"Once you make that breakthrough by talking about it, the world becomes a much less daunting place. Ever since then, I have taken care of my mental health, and now I feel very resilient."

Fair play, Eoghan.