World Mental Health Day: Katie Piper shares 'inspirational' photo of acid attack injuries
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant posted the picture on Instagram to raise awareness of World Mental Health Day.
Thursday 10 October 2019 22:35, UK
Katie Piper has shared an "inspirational" post on Instagram showing the injuries she sustained after an acid attack to mark World Mental Health Day.
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant posted the picture on Instagram to reveal the full extent of her injuries and assure people that "pain ends".
It comes 11 years after she was attacked with sulphuric acid by Stefan Sylvestre, who was released from prison last year after being handed a life sentence in 2009.
Piper, who turns 36 this week, was left partially blind after her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch arranged for Sylvestre to launch the attack in north London in March 2008.
The TV presenter wrote on Instagram that she still sees a therapist as a result of what happened, but reflected on a time when she "didn't want to look at anyone" and "didn't want anyone to look at me".
She said: "I remember when I was scared of people, scared of men. I remember when I was scared of the world.
"I remember when opening up to people and talking about my trauma and psychological damage just wasn't possible."
She added: "Today on Mental Health Day my first meeting of the day is with my therapist. I still go, it still helps and I'm able to talk. Hold On Pain Ends #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthday @wmhday."
Piper, who has taken part in an NHS and Public Health England campaign called Every Mind Matters, has been hailed as an "inspiration" and an "amazing lady" by her followers.
She has previously been praised for getting involved in a "10-year challenge" on the photo-sharing app, when she posted a picture of herself during her recovery from the acid attack.
It showed her aged 25 and wearing a mask to heal the scars.
She told her followers not to let the challenge "create anxiety within you about ageing".
Other famous faces to have marked World Mental Health Day this year include the Duke of Sussex and Ed Sheeran, who teamed up for a video urging people not to "suffer in silence".
Prince Harry says: "Guys, this World Mental Health Day, reach out, make sure that your friends, strangers - look out for anybody that might be suffering in silence.
"We're all in this together."