Will Young praises Olly Alexander for opening up about mental health issues

Will Young has praised Olly Alexander for opening up about his struggle with anxiety and depression.

The former Pop Idol winner took to Twitter to thank Olly for helping to break down the wall of silence that still surrounds mental health issues in the new issue of Attitude, in which the Years & Years frontman discusses everything from music this romantic experiences during his year in the spotlight.

“My whole family have mental health issues. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression since I was around thirteen or fourteen,” Olly tells us.

“I was quite troubled at school, I was bullied … For whatever reason, like family life and my parents divorcing around that time, I had a messy childhood. Also, being gay feeds into trying to figure out who you are. Being a teenager is fucking horrible for a lot of people, anyway. Depression and anxiety on top of that becomes a very layered, complicated thing.”

Olly’s comments inspired Will – who’s seemingly calmed down after flipping two fingers at a caller live on Saturday morning TV this weekend – to take to Twitter and thank him for sharing his experiences.

@alexander_olly much respect not only for your talent also sharing about depression and anxiety – so many experience it in life so few share

— Will Young (@willyoung) December 6, 2015

“@alexander_olly much respect no only for your talent also sharing about deprssion and anxiety – so many experience it in life yet so few share,” the Love Revolution singer wrote.

Olly replied the message earlier this afternoon, saying he hoped his own story would help others to be open out their own mental health – before shamelessly (though correctly, it must be said) adding that’s Will’s a bit of a dreamboat.

https://twitter.com/alexander_olly/status/673850987787001856

Jeez, these gay pop stars. Get a room guys.

Meanhwile, Olly has also opened up about why he and Clean Bandit’s Neil Milan have recently decided to call a day on their relationship – click here to read more. And for an online mental health chat support service, visit mindout.org.uk.

You can the full interview with Olly in the the new issue of Attitude, which also includes a hilarious interview with Alan Carr, a chat with the award-winning star of Transparent, Jeffrey Tambor, a look at gentrification and how it’s affecting London’s queer community, and a hot photo spread with some of the high-profile trans guys making waves in 2015.

The new issue of Attitude is now available as a digital download from pocketmags.com/attitude.

It’s in shops next Wednesday, December 9 and print copies are available to order from newsstand.co.uk.

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