Former Love Island contestant Niall Aslam has opened up about his mental health in a new post shared on Instagram today (August 30).
Niall, who unexpectedly left the Love Island villa early after just under two weeks on the show in June, later shared that he has Asperger syndrome and now he has thanked the public for their “messages of support”.
In the post, Niall also added that he’s been confronting his other mental health concerns in the weeks since the show aired, sharing that his anxiety has left him “unable to appear on live television” too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEbt1dn-Xb/
As you all know around two months ago I shared with you my reasons for leaving Love Island and the struggles of day to day life living with Asperger’s syndrome. Since leaving the Villa life I have had to confront other mental health concerns including anxiety which has left me unable to appear on live telvision and to see my fans. I have been taking medication as a short term fix but I am taking less every week and im battling to restore my self to the confident lad I was. I would not have been able to come so far if it wasnt for the love and support of the public your messages of support have been helping me through. Keep your eyes peeled as I’m sure you’ll see me very soon. Always remember …. lay it on thick, be yourself and be confident to talk about mental health
A post shared by Niall Aslam (@niallaslam) on
“As you all know around two months ago I shared with you my reasons for leaving Love Island and the struggles of day to day life living with Asperger’s syndrome,” he wrote.
“Since leaving the Villa life I have had to confront other mental health concerns including anxiety which has left me unable to appear on live television and to see my fans. I have been taking medication as a short term fix but I am taking less every week and I’m battling to restore my self to the confident lad I was.”
Niall continued to encourage his followers to be open about their mental health, sharing that the response he’s received has helped him.
“I would not have been able to come so far if it wasn’t for the love and support of the public your messages of support have been helping me through,” he continued. “Keep your eyes peeled as I’m sure you’ll see me very soon.”
He concluded: “Always remember …. lay it on thick, be yourself and be confident to talk about mental health.”
Last month, Niall revealed that he is writing an autobiography about his experience with Asperger syndrome.
“I want to put out a positive message and if I can help one person who has been in the same position as me then that’s great. I hope that people can embrace themselves more, and once you’ve embraced yourself you can cope better.”
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 or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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