Yahoo News Love Island's Belle Hassan opens up about history with self-harm
Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including self-harm.
Love Island series 5's Belle Hassan has candidly discussed her history with self-harm.
During an interview with OK!, the TV personality began by recalling a slight identity crisis between the ages of 13 and 19.
"I was trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted from life. I had a lot of self-hate and felt like I wasn't enough," she said.
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"People ask me what made you [self-harm], and being honest I have no idea. I think I did it to feel better - I had so much emotion but I never knew how to talk about it.
"Now, I'm so open with my family and friends but back then I felt shame or was worried I'd get into trouble," Hassan went on to explain, before admitting that in hindsight she wishes she'd come forward about the situation sooner.
"When I did eventually open up, it was almost the start of my recovery. It was hard though because I think my family put blame on themselves, so I had that on my shoulders.
"But it was nothing to do with them - it was a battle with myself," she added.
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Further along, the daughter of Layer Cake's Tamer Hassan pinpointed the exact moment her mind shifted.
"I wanted to do hair extensions as part of my job, and I had to do a course. I remember it being really hot and I couldn't wear a short sleeve T-shirt because of my arms," she shared.
"It was then I thought 'I need to stop this, it's ridiculous'. Enough was enough. Self-harm is sort of like having an addiction, you're susceptible to relapses. I say to people 'don't be so hard on yourself if you relapse' because it shows you have strength."
Love Island airs on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include the NHS, Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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