Mario Falcone credits his sister, Giovanna Fletcher, for saving his life.
Giovanna Fletcher and Mario Falcone
The former 'TOWIE' star attempted to commit suicide nine years ago but was able to seek help with his mental health after the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' winner encouraged him to get counselling.
He told OK! magazine: "The 'Mama Gi' we saw on TV ... she has always been that. She is super organised in a crisis and knew what to do and got me to counselling.
"As a man you have your guard up and I felt I had to put on this kind of bravado, but she told me 'You need to open up'. That saved my life without a doubt."
Mario, 33, has since reached out to others who struggle with their mental health and is now the ambassador for Papyrus, a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
He was left horrified to learn that young children were considering taking their own lives and wants to encourage his two-year-old son Parker to talk about his feelings.
The TV star added: "The thought of young children even having those thoughts is shocking. I will always want Parker - who he has with fiancée Becky Miesner - to be aware he can talk to us, to communicate how he is feeling. You teach your children how to walk, how to talk, I think you have to teach them how to open up, so it becomes second nature.
"I know that feeling of darkness. Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have transitioned from the place I was in to where I am now. I have an amazing fiancée, a beautiful son, and a sense of accomplishment in my journey from there to where I am today."
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