Gemma Collins to open up about mental health struggles and self-harm in new doc

Gemma Collins is set to reveal her difficulties with mental health and history of self-harm in a new documentary for Channel 4.

The 40-year-old former star of The Only Way is Essex has worked closely with mental health charity Mind in order to tell her story and raise awareness of the challenges that many people face.

Lee Murray, commissioning editor at Channel 4, told The Sun that Collins has "taken the brave decision to open up about her own experience with self-harm".

Read more: Gemma Collins has panic room fitted in her home

Collins has become one of the biggest personalities on the reality TV scene in the UK with her outlandish diva persona as "The GC".

The Sun quotes an insider saying the "deeply personal" doc will showcase a "side to Gemma rarely seen by anyone outside of her inner circle".

Watch: Collins admits she felt suicidal when relationship broke down

In a statement, Mind revealed their research has shown that "when people in the public eye speak about their mental health, it encourages others to do the same".

The charity added: "Mind is working with Channel 4 to ensure the issues covered are handled sensitively and portrayed accurately.

“We hope that this storyline will help to build a greater understanding of why some young people use self-harm as a way to deal with poor mental health, and that it will encourage viewers who are struggling to get the support they need.”

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Murray added that Collins' status as "an instantly recognisable and relatable figure" means there's extra impact to someone like her coming forward to talk honestly about her health.

Collins joined the cast of TOWIE in 2011 and was one of the main characters of the series until she departed in 2019.

She has subsequently fronted her own shows on ITVBe and appeared on numerous reality programmes, including I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing On Ice.

Read more: Collins admits she lied about big money sex tape

She has had an on-off relationship with fellow TOWIE alum James Argent — known as Arg — but recently confirmed she's back with former fiancé Rami Hawash.

The star has spoken before about how the real her is different to the out-there personality which has made her name, drawing a clear line between herself and "The GC".

Watch: Gemma Collins wants to be the next James Bond