Helen Flanagan says her mental health was at its worst after the birth of her first child

The mum-of-two says she struggled after welcoming her first child.

Corrie actress Helen Flanagan has spoken candidly about her struggles with mental health in the past but has now revealed that her anxiety was at its worst after she gave birth to her daughter Matilda. The actress says that she sought professional help when her anxiety became too much to handle back in 2015.

“I’ve always struggled with anxiety and it was at its peak after having Matilda,” she told OK! Magazine. “It was partly why I wanted to go back to work. I didn’t get post-natal depression but my anxiety got unbearable.”

Helen says she started going to therapy to help her cope with her anxiety and is now encouraging others, especially mums, to talk about their struggles.

“I had cognitive behavioural therapy. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.”

The mum-of-two was recently the recipient of a whole lot of praise after she appeared on the front cover of Fabulous magazine breastfeeding her daughter 16-week old daughter Delilah, with the caption:

"I don't care if people dislike seeing me breastfeed."

The Instagram post amassed thousands of likes after it was posted and fans were quick to share their delight;

"Beautiful your helping to give others courage to bf in public and normalised the most natural thing." "Thank you for showing the world how beautiful breastfeeding is! You look amazing."