Tina Malone said she penned a suicide letter after being arrested during a "year from hell".
The former Shameless star admitted the thought of leaving her five-year-old daughter behind stopped her from killing herself.
Tina, 56, said she has been through a tough time as of late.
Her husband Paul Chase lost his job and they lost their home and Tina fell out with her eldest daughter Danielle.
Tina then ended up in court after she shared a picture that allegedly showed one of James Bulger's killers as a grown up.
The actress told the Daily Star : "It's been the year from hell. I was suffering with severe depression and I was suicidal.
Read more of today's top stories here
"I'd penned my letters and planned how I'd do it, but the only thing that stopped me was Flame."
Tina says she now feels like her life has turned around.
She added: "I'm back in work now on Channel 5 show Clink, Paul is back in full-time work and my relationship with Danielle is back on track."
Last month, Tina pleaded guilty to sharing a picture online that allegedly showed James Bulger killer John Venables as an adult.
In response, someone set up a crowdfunding page to solicit donations that would help Tina pay off her costs, after she cried about work opportunities drying up amid her mental breakdown in December 2017.
Jeremy Kyle 'utterly devastated' as show cancelled after death of guest
The drugged-up 'little weirdo' who subjected his girlfriend to months of violence and abuse
But grateful Tina has begged her followers not to donate to her legal costs, instead pointing them in the direction of the James Bulger Memorial Trust, of which she used to be an ambassador.
* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
Man who died after being taken into custody had been arrested on suspicion of assault
Well-known beggar who 'refused help' banned from most of the city centre - but not everyone is happy
