First Dates singleton Tom bravely opens up about how he took time away from his studies at the University of Oxford to focus on his crumbling mental health.
In tonight’s episode of the Channel 4 dating show, one day after World Mental Health Day, the maths undergraduate gets talking about his struggles with depression while on his date with philosophy graduate, Natalie, who provides an understanding ear
Revealing that the pressure became a lot to bear in a clip shared exclusively with Metro.co.uk, Tom explains: ‘Oxford and Cambridge have a reputation of you have to be the best you can be and there’s no room for error.’
Speaking to his date, Natalie, he reveals: ‘Definitely in second year, I hit a really rough patch, burning the candle at both ends. Sometimes it’s difficult to realise how important mental health is.’
‘I think mentally, I was incredibly vulnerable,’ he continues to the camera. ‘I became very depressed and very anxious. I found myself really struggling to motivate myself to even do simple things.’


Tom’s mother came to collect him during term time in a bid to get him the help he needed to feel like himself again.
‘It took quite a long time to get back to normal and come back to earth, but everyone around me was really helpful in putting me back to looking after myself again,’ he shares.
‘I feel like a completely different person now. I feel so much more happier.’

Tom feels like he’s in a much better position now to meet someone, will he find a match in Natalie?
A spokesperson for Oxford University told Metro.co.uk: ‘We take the mental wellbeing of our students very seriously and encourage those who are in need of support to access the extensive welfare provision available at both University and college level.
‘A range of specialist support services for students who experience mental health difficulties is accessible via the Student Counselling Service as well as college Welfare Teams.
‘Our policies and processes continue to be reviewed periodically to ensure that they are in line with best practice.’
Also arriving in the First Dates restaurant tonight is Elissa, a master of ceremonies for dinners, birthdays and, indeed, weddings.
Will her own big day be just around the corner after meeting am-dram enthusiast Rob?
First Dates airs tonight at 10.15pm on Channel 4.
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