Osher Günsberg talks about battle with mental illness on The Project

He is known for his charm and charisma as host of The Bachelor and The Masked Singer Australia. 

But Osher Günsberg has fought a lengthy battle with mental illness over the years. 

On Thursday, the 45-year-old spoke about his experiences on The Project for World Mental Health Day, saying he wants people to know ‘there is help out there’.  

Osher revealed he has been diagnosed with social anxiety and social phobia, saying he has occasionally felt helpless.   

‘The horrible thoughts and feelings that I was having… appeared to me as a really clever, smart, almost compassionate way of making it all stop,’ he said.

But things began to turn around when he met his now-wife Audrey Griffin and became a stepfather to her teenage daughter Georgia.  

A new beginning: ‘I didn’t feel like I was worthy of feeling better, but when I met [my wife] Audrey [Griffin] and her daughter Georgia it gave me hope…’ confessed Osher (pictured)

‘In a way I didn’t feel like I was worthy of feeling better, but when I met Audrey and her daughter Georgia it gave me hope that this was worth sticking around for,’ he said.  

Meanwhile, former Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise star Brooke Blurton also spoke about her anxiety, calling it ‘the biggest battle’ she has ever faced. 

‘I lost my mum to suicide, and I lost my grandmother to sickness a month later,’ said Brooke, describing both women as highly ‘influential’ in her life. 

‘I’ve gone through therapy and I’ve seen a psychologist and I’m not ashamed to talk about it,’ added the 24-year-old youth worker.   

Speaking out: ‘I’ve gone through therapy and I’ve seen a psychologist and I’m not ashamed to talk about it,’ said Brooke Blurton (pictured) from The Bachelor

According to The Project, half of all Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and 250 people attempt suicide every day.  

For now, Osher wants people to know they’re not alone. 

‘The way you’re feeling right now – even thought your brain is telling you this is how it’s going to be forever, it’s not!’ he said. ‘There’s a lot of help out there.’

If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800   

‘The horrible thoughts and feelings that I was having… appeared to me as a really clever, smart, almost compassionate way of making it all stop,’ said Osher (right). Pictured with Masked Singer judges (left to right) Dannii Minogue, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, Dave Hughes and Lindsay Lohan