Rupert Graves took an overdose when he was 15 "to try to die".
Rupert Graves
The 'Sherlock' star has opened up about attempting to end his own life during his teens, admitting at first he felt as though his time was up as his senses began to "close down", but was then "not even sure" he wanted to meet his maker.
He said: "When I was about 15 I took an overdose to try to die. I remember my senses closing down. I heard the flush of the toilet, but it was like a dream.
"I had a thought of, 'I think I’m going to die. And I’m not even sure I want to die.' Then I vomited so much I knocked myself out."
But Rupert - who plays D.I. Lestrade in the crime TV series - has insisted he would tell his younger self to "be kind" and "generous" to himself.
He added to The Big Issue magazine: "If I could go back I’d probably just sit down and hold my younger self's hand and say, 'Listen, it will pass. And while you're waiting for it to pass, just try and be kind to yourself and hyper-aware of what's happening.
"'You feel overwhelmed, but rather than giving up, stand up and remain aware.
"'Try to be generous to yourself. This amount of life coming at you, that's when you can actually learn.' "
The 'A Room With a View' actor - who has five children with his wife Susie Lewis - has also admitted he was "crippling shy" during his younger years, and was "shaking" when walking with his first girlfriend.