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Celebrity

09th Feb 2022

Gemma Collins addresses her history of self-harm in trailer for new film

Sarah McKenna Barry

*Content warning: This article contains reference to self-harm. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, you should call the emergency services on 999 or 112.*

The documentary will air on Channel 4 next week.

The trailer for Gemma Collins’ upcoming documentary is here, and it sees her discuss her history with self-harm.

Gemma Collins: Self-Harm & Me, comes out on Channel 4 next Wednesday 16 February at 9pm.

In the trailer, the former TOWIE star shares her experience of depression with those around her.

One clip features Gemma talking to a support group and she says: “I was feeling overwhelming emotion and I couldn’t cope with it.”

She later discusses her self-harm, saying, “It’s something I’ve buried for twenty years.”

Gemma goes on to discuss how difficult it can be to speak about the behaviours.

She says: “It’s not like a normal conversation you can have with someone. I never told anyone because it was shameful, I was scared. I wish I was brave enough to ask for the help. I could have saved myself a lot of pain.”

The trailer also sees contributions from her mother, Joan, and her boyfriend, Rami Hawash.

At one point, Rami says: “I was shocked, you know. You’ve done something to yourself, why did you do it?”

Her mum later reflects on her daughter’s experience and says: “Because you do think, ‘What have I done?'”

The film was announced last year, and Channel 4’s commissioning editor Lee McMurray praised Gemma for agreeing to be a part of such an important project.

He said: “Gemma Collins has taken the brave decision to open up about her own experience with self-harm.

“As an instantly recognisable and relatable figure we applaud her courage in revealing her own struggles and hope this film and her insight will spark vitally important conversations around young people and self-harm.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support is available. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 at any time of day, or you can email them by contacting [email protected].

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, you should call the emergency services on 999 or 112.