Shawn Mendes has revealed that he has undertaken a lengthy period of therapy for mental health issues.

The 24-year-old singer - one of the biggest pop stars on the planet - cancelled his world tour after just three weeks of gigs last summer in order to "take the time I've never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger".

Now he has elaborated more on his programme of therapy, telling The Wall Street Journal: "The process was very difficult.

"A lot of doing therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way. And then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit."

He added: "I'm also really grateful for all the people that were so accepting and loving and kind and understanding.

"And it just really made me see how culture is really starting to get to a place where mental health is really becoming a priority."