Manchester DJ and Rinse regular Ben Pearce has cancelled all his forthcoming performances due to his ongoing struggle with depression.

“I’ve battled with depression for the past few years and despite professional help I have reached a place where I know this is sadly the only choice I’m left with,” he wrote on Facebook.

Adding that he may still make music in the future, Pearce said he need to take the steps towards a “healthy mental state of mind” for now.

“It’s affected every part of my life, I never used to have social or performance anxiety and now I suffer with it terribly,” he wrote. “It is real, it isn’t talked about enough in society or the music industry and I hope my fans and fellow industry members can understand my decision.”

Read the full statement below.

My statement from facebook. pic.twitter.com/NnSSBrMtcu

— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceDJ) July 18, 2016