Former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has made a remarkably candid confession about her private struggles with anxiety and depression, revealing this battle has shaped her decision to enter the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle.
Confronting a Personal Challenge
Best known for playing Whitney Dean for 16 years in Albert Square, McGarty is now facing what she describes as a far more terrifying prospect. She told the Mirror that her mental health has been 'pretty bad over the last at least four or five years,' preventing her from pursuing many opportunities.
'I have kind of come to a point in my life where I do not want to let the anxiety win,' the actress stated. She admitted to feeling nervous even during the interview but emphasised her determination to prove she is 'bigger than this anxiety.'
The Toll of Growing Up on Screen
McGarty reflected on the unique pressures of maturing in the public eye from a young age. She explained that in the industry, there is an expectation to always say you are fine, leading to a 'fake it to make it' mentality.
'That can take its toll on you, and I think it did, because we are all human,' she shared. This pressure, she believes, contributed significantly to her later struggles with anxiety and depression.
She also revealed the underlying fear that being open about not feeling okay could be seen as 'unprofessional' and potentially cost her job. 'You do not want to fail in your career and let things beat you, so you just carry on. But by carrying on, things get worse,' McGarty confessed.
Finding Support and Looking Ahead
To manage her condition, McGarty has sought help through therapy and medication, though she acknowledges she still has difficult days. 'I panic and I don't know why...I am just sort of learning as I go,' she said.
As she enters the jungle, she is 'a bit scared that maybe the anxiety might rear its ugly head,' but is reassured by the thought that her fellow campmates will support her. She aims to be open if she has a bad day, normalising the conversation around mental health.
Her family were 'incredibly supportive' of her decision to join the show, recognising it was a major step given her mental health history. McGarty also commended the BBC for having support systems in place for young actors.
Since leaving EastEnders in May 2024, she has focused on theatre and music, but her immediate goal is to use her I'm A Celebrity platform to raise awareness. She praised previous contestants like Danny Jones and Sam Thompson for discussing their own struggles, highlighting the importance of such conversations, especially for young people.
Despite her nerves, McGarty's grounded nature and sense of humour were evident as she laughed about the media scrum at Brisbane airport, a 'first time' experience for her. With a tomboy upbringing of digging for worms and climbing trees, she might just have some unexpected strengths for the challenges ahead.
