Bronagh Waugh is "in awe" of Joe Tracini’s "courage and strength", as he battles experiencing suicidal thoughts on a regular basis.
The former ‘Hollyoaks’ actress is "grateful" her co-star is still here after he previously tried to take his own life, and she praised him for helping others by regularly speaking out about his demons.
Bronagh – who played Cheryl Brady in the Channel 4 soap – wrote on Twitter: "Love you & am thankful you’re still here every single day. SO many brilliant things still to come for you Angelface and I’m so b***** grateful and in awe of the courage & strength you have to battle through the difficult days. With sharing your experiences and truth, you’ve immeasurably helped so many others. You’re incredible. And I love you to pieces. Xxxxxx (sic)"
The star’s message came in response to Joe – who portrayed Oaks’ Dennis Savage – sharing a video on World Suicide Prevention Day today (10.09.20), in which he encouraged people to talk to others if they are thinking about taking their own life.
He wrote: "Everyday is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay.
Please don’t kill yourself.
Here’s something I learnt the last time I tried xx (sic)"
Joe went on to explain that he tried to take his own life eight years ago by climbing onto the wrong side of a bridge, during a time when he was addicted to drugs.
The only thing that got him off the bridge was "getting drugs", but that was the final time he ever took them.
He said: "I got off the bridge by getting drugs. It was the only way to get me to do anything.
"And I felt like a failure, because I couldn’t even kill myself. Can’t even get that right.
"But what I know now, eight years later, is that was the last time I ever took drugs.
"And if I’d have jumped I never would’ve found that out."