Helen Flanagan issues 'honest' update after mental health battle

Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan was at Aintree today looking stunning in a Karen Millen dress.

In an interview with the ECHO, the actress shared her love for Liverpool - and opened up about her recent struggles with mental health. Helen said: "I love Liverpool - I just think it's a really friendly city, I think it's really special. It's just really fun, everybody's up for a laugh and it's a great city.

"I love the day and I feel like at Aintree as well, the weather just gets so much warmer after. It's getting the girls together, I just think it's a nice northern day."

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Asked about her mental health struggles, Helen said: "I think I've always been honest on my social media, I've always been quite open, and that's why I've always had a good following - I'm connected with other women.

"I think it's good just to be honest."

In March, Helen was set to star as Miss Scarlett in the stage tour of Cluedo, but she pulled out of the show before the tour started and took a break from her social media channels.

She later revealed her mental health took a downturn and she struggled with psychosis. She said at the time: "So basically, I really struggled mental health wise December/January.

"I felt really not great in my head over Christmas and I didn’t really feel that much different when I took the kids away for new year. I had a lot of difficult things going on things I just can’t talk about on Instagram.

"I felt terrible, so I was due my theatre tour which I was excited about so when I came back from holiday I thought it was best for me to take some medication so I’d feel better and be able to cope better with being a working single mum of three and I was emotionally struggling with the break up from the father of my kids but I had a really bad reaction though to the medication (an ADHD medication) and it sent me into a psychosis for a few days which I didn’t know I was in.

"I just love my kids so much x this bad reaction though was a few days before rehearsals were starting and sadly I just wasn’t mentally well enough to do it. I was heartbroken as I’ve always been professional as an actress but I needed to stay at home and feel better for me and my kids, with the help of my amazing parents.

"I’ve always been honest on here and I feel in a really good happy place now xxx therapy can be amazing and I feel like I’ve worked on myself with things that were quite tough to me but I feel lighter now. Anyway sending love and please be kind."

When asked about future projects, Helen said she's "got a few things planned," but can't talk about them yet.

As well has her busy work schedule, Helen has a busy home life too. She told the ECHO: "I've got three kids as well, so I'm so busy. I've got an eight-year-old, a five year old and now a three year old."

The star is hoping for a fun night out tonight - either in Liverpool or Manchester. She said: "I'll see how the night goes".

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