Joe Sugg admits he was ‘on the fence’ about doing Strictly
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The younger brother of YouTube queen Zoe Sugg, Joe has grown up in the lime-light, but since his stint on the popular BBC dancing competition in 2019, the star has also ended up performing on the West End, released his own single and now is fronting a national campaign, encouraging men to talk about their mental health.
Along with a playful picture of Joe with a newly grown tash, the star has also opened up about his own experiences with mental health.
In a video a few years back alongside fellow vloggers and “influencers” Casper Lee and Jack Maynard, the trio opened up about their insecurities and what effect this has on their mental health.
Joe explained: “I used to be very, very self-conscious about my skin, in particular spots on my skin but now I don’t mind as much.
“I learnt that people around you don’t care that much about yourself…they don’t notice the things that you notice a lot more.”The now 30-year-old struggled so much with severe acne that he couldn’t bear to watch back his old videos.
“Straight away I’d look for certain words like ‘oh your skin’, ‘I can tell you are wearing make-up’.”
The problem got so bad for Joe that it started to affect his social life. The star said that he would say to friends: “My skin is really bad. I don’t feel like going out. They completely understood and they said ‘I’ve been through the exact same thing.’”
Yet, for Joe things started to turn around, for both his skin and his mental health. After seeking advice from a doctor the young star was able to dramatically improve his skin.
In 2019 he also starred in the mental health awareness day campaign for the NHS and their Every Mind Matters adverts.
Posting on his social media sites for his millions of followers to see he wrote: “We all have times when we feel stressed, low or anxious, or experience trouble sleeping but there are simple things we can all do to look after our mental health.”
Taking part in Movember, is extremely important for Joe, as the campaign encourages men to talk about not only their health, but check in with their friends as well. The charity asks men to follow these simple steps to let the conversation flow:
- Ask – Maybe you have noticed friends spending more time at a bar, or coming late to work, or missing social events. Start by mentioning these differences you have noticed.
- Listen – Try to give them your full attention without interruptions.
- Encourage action – Help them to focus on some simple things that might improve their well being. This can include sleeping and diet.
- Check-in – Suggest you go for regular catch ups, in person if possible. If you are worried about someone consult the emergency services.
Director of Mental Health training at Movember and Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne, doctor Zac Seidler has dedicated his career towards understanding men’s mental health and masculinity.
Talking exclusively to Express.co.uk he said: “We need to find a way to create an equally enticing breeding ground, a community for young guys that espouses meaningful connection and belonging built on shared compassion, with the mantra that nice guys always finish first.
“When we approach men in the right way – when our interventions and messages are targeted – we know they can work…it’s time we start asking and stop assuming what men need.“There is no excuse for not calling your mate if he just lost his job…You don’t need to know what to say. Just let him know you hear him, you’re with him, and you’ll get through this together.
“We want men to be mentally flexible, and that means more than just yoga. It’s time we stop passing off such behaviours as ‘boys will be boys’ and learn to address these effectively – as a call for help.”
If you or someone you know is affected by mental health, Samaritans are available to reach 24 hours a day on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
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