Home and Away star Emily Weir admits to suffering a ‘breakdown’ during difficult time last year

Emily Weir made the painful admission on Sunday that last year was particularly challenging for her and it led to her having a ‘breakdown’.

The Home and Away star, 32, told the Herald Sun that a combination of burnout and anxiety saw life become very difficult to manage.

‘I went through a really hard time mentally and emotionally. People call it a breakdown and I call it a breakthrough,’ she began.

‘There was a lot going on for me. Post-Covid a lot of us got into some pretty crazy head spaces and I went through a really low stage.’

Weir then revealed a surprising offer from Channel Seven to appear on this year’s Dancing With The Stars helped her get her groove back. 

‘The story of dance is about survival and leaning on your community to help you. I’ve used all those feelings to fuel this dance and it was worth it.’

Earlier this month, Emily told TV Week that the pain of her parents’ divorce when she was in her early 20s saw her turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, but she managed to quit prior to being cast in Home and Away in 2019.

‘I was sober before I got on the show, but my struggles didn’t stop there. I didn’t work on myself enough, and those demons appeared,’ she said.

The Home and Away star told the Herald Sun that a combination of burnout and anxiety saw life become very difficult to manage

Fortunately, Emily found help by joining Alcoholics Anonymous.

‘In the past five years, I’ve learnt to set boundaries and be kinder to myself. I’m grateful to be in Home and Away and DWTS is one of the best things I’ve ever done,’ she explained.

Back in December, Emily admitted she still faces a struggle with maintaining her sobriety during the festive season, even after being sober for five years. 

Weir then revealed a surprising offer from Channel Seven to appear on this year’s Dancing With The Stars helped her get her groove back. Pictured: Emily with her  DWTS partner Lyu Masuda

While she is ‘proud’ of what she has accomplished, she said there is still a level of exclusion during Christmas because she’s not able to let loose like those around her.

‘There are a lot of parties and a lot of socialising. The truth is I still kind of feel left out, not because of people leaving me out, but because I am not on their same level,’ she told The Daily Telegraph. 

The soap star, who portrays restaurateur Mackenzie Booth on Home and Away, went on to say the ‘contradiction’ of being ‘proud’ and yet wishing otherwise ‘is a normal part of being a sober person’. 

Dancing With The Stars continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Seven

Back in December, Emily admitted she still faces a struggle with maintaining her sobriety during the festive season, even after being sober for five years