Phillip Schofield was moved to tears as he discussed mental health during an emotional chat on This Morning on Tuesday.
The presenter, 58, became visibly emotional as he spoke with Brian, 75, who is struggling with being separated from his wife of 46 years after she went into a care home.
In support of the ITV Britain Get Talking mental wellness campaign, Phillip and co-host Holly Willoughby spoke to real people about the struggles they have faced.
Brave: Phillip Schofield was moved to tears as he discussed mental health during an emotional chat on This Morning on Tuesday
Brian revealed he was in the army for 22 years and his wife used to send him letters in.
As he told his story, Brian broke down with Phillip stepping in to tell his story.
He said: ‘His wife’s gone into a care home with dementia, he has not seen her since the beginning of lockdown. Brian is 75 and has one daughter who lives far away and he doesn’t want to bother her with this.’
He added: ‘The advice is to call the GP and the AGE UK silver line – also your daughter, you created her you’re part of the fabric of her world just give her a call after this and say you’re struggling.
There for you: The presenter, 58, became visibly emotional as he spoke with Brian, 75, who is struggling with being separated from his wife of 46 years after she went into a care home
‘This is difficult for her, you’re denying the opportunity for her to help. I know you’re in the army and it must be tough… but you need to reach out.
Phillip then asked Brian to stay on the phone, saying they may be able to help from the studio, as he became visibly teary-eyed.
The emotional moment comes after Phillip candidly discussed his own mental health battle on This Morning last month.
The presenter who announced in February he was gay after 27 years of marriage, revealed he has needed ‘a lot of help’ in recent times.
Candid: In support of the ITV Britain Get Talking mental wellness campaign, Phillip and co-host Holly Willoughby spoke to real people about the struggles they have faced
Emotional: Holly also looked emotional as they chatted with Brian
Phillip credited his wife, Stephanie Lowe, 56, and daughters Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24, and co-host Holly Willoughby for supporting him.
Phillip was discussing the topic of mental health with Holly and Simon Gunning, CEO of charity CALM, on Thursday’s episode of This Morning.
The Office for National Statistics shared recent data that suicide rates for men in England and Wales in 2019 was the highest for two decades, this is before the current coronavirus pandemic.
During the discussion, Phillip bravely shared: ‘Over the next few weeks I will be talking quite a lot about my mental health and where my head has been in recent times.
Speaking out: The emotional moment comes after Phillip candidly discussed his own mental health battle on This Morning last month
‘It’s surprising how you think you’ve got a grip on everything and suddenly your head takes you to dark and scary places.
‘You say that loved ones can be instrumental on helping and there’s no question I needed a lot of help in recent times with people who sit right beside me right now [pointing to Holly] who helped me enormously.
‘Steph, my wife at home, my girls [daughters], my family… and loved ones can be instrumental in helping.’
Phillip noted that he was ‘lucky’ as he has a strong support group, he added: ‘I understand and realise that not everyone is as lucky as I am, to have sympathetic ears to listen to.
‘Or people that can even understand how you can help someone just by listening but the first point surely has to be, really, is to reach out to the people that know you the best and hopefully you can find a rock that you can tie yourself to…’
Family: Phillip credited his wife, Stephanie Lowe, 56, and daughters Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24, for supporting him (pictured together in 2017)
Reaching out: The presenter, 58, who announced in February he was gay after 27 years of marriage, revealed he has needed ‘a lot of help’ in recent times
Phillip ended the segment by issuing advice to struggling viewers although he stressed that he is ‘not trained in any way’.
He said: ‘I am not trained in any way, but all I know is that I’ve been to some fairly dark places in my head that when those clouds roll in…
‘If you are patient, if you hang on, if you wait, then it is extraordinary how the clouds break up and a little bit of sunshine can come through.’
He concluded: ‘Don’t rush into judging your life because you never know where it might go quite quickly.’
In February, Phillip announced he was gay after 27 years of marriage as he shared an emotional statement to social media.
Following his revelation, the presenter took his place on the This Morning sofa besides co-host Holly, who has supported him, to further pour his heart out.
‘Feeling lighter and lighter’: In February, Phillip announced he was gay after 27 years of marriage as he shared an emotional statement to social media (pictured)
A friend in need: Following his revelation, the presenter took his place on the This Morning sofa besides co-host Holly, who has supported him, to further pour his heart out (pictured)
Writing on Instagram about his decision to come out, he said: ‘With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.
‘My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud.’
He later admitted in an interview with The Sun on Sunday that it was too early to say if he and Steph would stay married.
‘It has taken me a long time to get here, I am not rushing to get to any other place,’ he told the publication.
‘We will always be a family… And where the wind blows us I don’t know. But I still love Steph as much as when we first met. More probably.’
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Reports: Meanwhile, it’s been reported that the TV personality is planning an ‘amicable’ divorce from his wife Stephanie, where he will share his £9million fortune (pictured with his family and his daughter’s partner during lockdown)