Good Morning Britain Presenter Strips Naked for Mental Health Campaign, Covers Boobs With 'Disco Balls'
Good Morning Britain presenter Katy Rickitt has posed nude for a charity calendar to raise money and awareness for mental health support after experiencing a difficult period in her own life.
The 42-year-old ITV journalist joined women for the calendar supporting Stable Minds, a mental health organisation in Knutsford, Cheshire. She covers her breasts with disco balls in the photographs.
The project took three years to complete after Rickitt said she struggled with her mental health around the time she turned 40. She described feeling lost, gaining weight, experiencing panic attacks and frequently feeling low without understanding why.
Speaking to The Sun, she wondered whether menopause may have contributed to her symptoms, although she has not reported receiving a menopause-related diagnosis.
Rickitt Describes Panic Attacks and Low Mood Around 40
Rickitt said changes at work and reaching 40 left her questioning her identity and feeling unsure of who she was.
Her account highlights how emotional difficulties can affect people during significant life transitions. According to the NHS, anxiety can cause persistent worry, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, a racing heartbeat, dizziness and breathlessness. Panic attacks may involve sudden intense fear, sweating, trembling, nausea and chest discomfort.
Experiencing panic attacks does not automatically mean someone has panic disorder. A healthcare professional can assess recurring symptoms and determine whether they are linked to an anxiety condition or another health issue.
Perimenopause Can Affect Mood and Emotional Wellbeing
Rickitt questioned whether menopause may have played a role in her experience. Although she did not confirm a diagnosis, hormonal changes during perimenopause can affect emotional wellbeing.
The NHS lists mood swings, low mood, anxiety, sleep difficulties and problems with memory or concentration among possible symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Perimenopause is the transition before menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate and menstrual cycles may become irregular.
Not every woman experiences psychological symptoms during this transition. Low mood or anxiety should not automatically be attributed to menopause, and other possible causes may need to be assessed.
Panic Attacks and Persistent Anxiety Can Be Treated
The NHS identifies cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a main treatment for panic disorder and other anxiety-related difficulties.
Depending on symptoms, healthcare professionals may also recommend medication. People experiencing recurring panic attacks, persistent anxiety or symptoms that interfere with daily life should seek medical advice. A clinician can also rule out physical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
Campaign Raises Funds for Mental Health Support
Rickitt's calendar aims to raise funds for Stable Minds, which provides mental health support for adults, children and young people in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. Its services include counselling, support groups and workshops.
The project follows a 2023 fundraising calendar, when Rickitt organised men to pose for a cancer-awareness campaign. She said her own mental health difficulties made it difficult to move forward with the women's project the following year.
The new calendar is due to go on sale on November 7, with proceeds supporting Stable Minds. Her account highlights why persistent low mood and panic attacks deserve attention rather than being dismissed as an inevitable part of getting older.