Gary Tank Commander star Greg McHugh has revealed how he turned to a therapist after suffering from anxiety.

The 37-year-old writer and actor said he "hit a huge wall" after finishing a live tour of the show.

He recounted the experience at an event on young people's mental health.

McHugh said: "I am still subject to loads of the insecurities that everyone in this room will have, it's just I've been trained to mask it a bit more.

"At the root of a lot of mental health, I think, is this Scottish background, especially the male psyche of hiding that, so I can assure you I have a lot of ups and downs.

"I might be talking loudly but I definitely have my moments."

McHugh, speaking at the Scottish Parliament's festival of politics, said mental health problems were reaching "epidemic" level.

He said: "I think it is something we don't talk about enough.

"We are in a generation now where images are inescapable, we are an incredibly exposed society now.

"No matter what you look to aspire to be, you can compare yourself on Twitter, on Facebook."

The actor said recent successes did not preclude him from suffering mental health problems.

He said: "I'm an actor, I'm a writer and I've done relatively well but I wanted to come here to say to you no one is immune to these feelings."