Sophie Turner on depression: 'It’s a very British thing – that idea you should just get on with it'

'The first step to any kind of movement is just to put it out there, talk about it'

Sophie Turner has spoken out about the benefits of going to therapy for her mental health, describing the idea that you should “just get on with” depression as a “very British thing”.

The Game of Thrones star has been open about her struggles with the condition in the past, and revealed that despite being seen as “a bit self-indulgent” and “soft”, therapy, along with medication, has helped her “immeasurably”.

“My parents are still like, 'Why do you go to therapy?' and I’m like, 'Because I’m depressed, remember?'" Turner told PorterEdit. “It’s a very British thing – that idea you should just get on with it, ‘chin up’.”

Turner, who stars in the upcoming X-Men spin-off, Dark Phoenix, went on to tout the benefits of discussing mental health issues in the public eye.

“The first step to any kind of movement is just to put it out there, talk about it and make it less of a taboo so that people can go and get help and not feel embarrassed to do so,” the 23-year-old said.

“People feel so much shame about it, so if, by talking about it, I can even have an impact on one person, that would be awesome.”

Turner’s comments come after she revealed she experienced suicidal thoughts at the age of 19.

“It’s weird. I say I wasn’t very depressed when I was younger, but I used to think about suicide a lot when I was younger. I don’t know why though,” she told US talk show host Dr Phil on his podcast, Phil in the Blanks, in April.

“Maybe it’s just a weird fascination I used to have, but yeah, I used to think about it. I don’t think I ever would have gone through with it. I don’t know.”

You can read Turner’s full interview with PorterEdit here.