Former EastEnders actress Melissa Suffield, best known for playing Lucy Beale on the BBC One soap from 2004 to 2010, has sparked concern among fans after candidly revealing that she is battling severe anxiety and feelings of fear.

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“I’m Not Going to Lie — My Mental Health Isn’t Great”

The actress, 32, shared an emotional update on Instagram, opening up to her followers about her recent struggles. Posting a picture of her five-year-old son River, Melissa wrote:

“I’m not going to lie, gang, my mental health isn’t great at the moment. Just finding myself consumed with anxieties that I never used to have and a kind of constant fear and dread as a result.”

She added that the ongoing stress was beginning to frustrate her, saying:

“Really need to shake it ideally because it’s starting to p**s me off. You know me — I’m always going to be honest with you, and that includes when things aren’t so rosy. I’m fine, but also just very stressed and overwhelmed a lot of the time, and it’s not like me.”

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A Small Moment of Joy

Despite her ongoing challenges, Melissa shared a touching glimpse of positivity from her day. She revealed she had taken River to see Back to the Future at the cinema during his inset day — a nostalgic moment that lifted her spirits.

“That was lovely because I’ve always loved that film, and it was great sharing that with him,” she wrote, adding that she also treated herself to “a really camp Christmas wreath for the door” and booked “a really exciting thing for next year.”

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Fans Offer Love and Support

Melissa’s followers quickly flooded her inbox with kind words and personal stories after her post. In a follow-up Instagram story, she thanked fans for their uplifting messages and shared a smiling selfie, writing:

“Thanks so much for all your messages and telling me all the lovely things you’ve got going on in your lives. I love being lifted up like that, and I LOVE people celebrating their wins, big and small!”

The outpouring of support comes as Melissa continues to be open about her physical and mental health battles. Earlier this year, she revealed she had attended over 40 medical appointments and spent “over five figures” seeking treatment for a gruelling condition, though she remains positive and vocal about breaking stigmas around health and motherhood.

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A Voice for Honesty and Realness

Since leaving EastEnders, Melissa has built a strong following online, known for her candid discussions about body positivity, postpartum challenges, and mental well-being. Fans have praised her honesty in a world of filters and perfection, calling her one of the most authentic voices on social media.

As she continues to prioritise her mental health, Melissa’s openness reminds fans that vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s courage.

“It’s okay to not be okay,” one fan commented. “Thank you for being real with us, Melissa. You’re helping more people than you realise.”