Will Mellor and Ralf Little have told of their admiration for Joe Tracini.
Hollyoaks’ Joe shares video messages and tweets urging his followers to reach out and seek help if suffering from mental health issues.
He’s also open about living with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and how he experiences a voice in his head telling him to end his own life.
Will and Ralf were chatting about mental health on their podcast, Two Pints With Will And Ralf, when Will revealed he’d reached out to Joe to express his respect.
He recalled: “I messaged him saying ‘sorry you’ve got to go through all of this, but you are saving lives by coming out and talking about it.'”
(Image: Twitter)
Ralf remarked how, despite being met with a flood of positivity when he shares his videos and messages, Joe is also the target of vile trolls, some who even suggest he is attention-seeking.
Will added: “I don’t understand how to open a social media account, you don’t have to show your drivers licence or passport.
“People need to be identified because this is racism, homophobia, whatever it is, these negative trolls need to be named and arrested or have charges pressed, because it’s killing people.”
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
(Image: Getty Images for Mash Gallery)
After listening, Joe himself got in touch and tweeted his thanks to the pair.
” @RalfLittle @Mellor76 just listened to your podcast. Thank you so much lads, hearing that really means a lot to me. Hope you’re both keeping alright xx,” he wrote.
“You’re a legend Joe,” Ralf responded, “Even if there’s a b*****d inside your head, there’s literally millions outside it that think you’re fantastic. Big love to you.”
And Will echoed the sentiment, writing: “You’re a top lad joe and a massive voice for people dealing with mental health! Pls take care a thank you for sharing, you are saving lives.”
At the end of 2020, Joe filmed a new video for his followers in which he congratulated everyone for making it through the year.
“If all you’ve done this year is not kill yourself, that’s enough, because this is the hardest time that it’s ever been for us to be alive,” he said.
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.