The Radford family has spoken out on Instagram to address cruel remarks aimed at 12th child Josh after he received comments urging him to find employment.
Posting on Wednesday, the family behind 22 Kids and Counting highlighted one particularly hurtful message that read.
The remark aimed at the 18-year-old read: "Josh get a job wakey wakey." (sic)
In their response, parents Sue and Noel Radford stressed that such remarks fail to recognise the crippling nature of anxiety and agoraphobia.
Posting a snap of the remark, seemingly left under another social media post, the family wrote: "We’ve seen a few comments like this telling Josh to 'just get a job.'
"These comments are really not helpful and there’s been a few.
"I don't think these sad few people realise just how debilitating anxiety and agoraphobia is and I tell you what Josh would absolutely love to be in a place where he felt he was able to go to work but for now it's little steps in the right direction, like going to the gym the other day.
"Mental health isn’t laziness. Anxiety isn't a choice. We're incredibly proud of the steps he's taking."
22 Kids and Counting's Sue and Noel Radford issued a plea to social media followers
|CHANNEL 5
The post continued: "Progress looks different for everyone and kindness matters.
"Please think before you comment, you never know what someone is facing behind the scenes and Josh reads the comments."
The family's plea comes after a recent episode revealed Josh had been rushed to hospital following a health scare.
It emerged the teenager had been struggling with debilitating panic attacks.
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22 Kids and Counting's Josh Radford shared his diagnosis of anxiety and agoraphobia
|CHANNEL 5
The instalment also featured a medical professional discussing Josh's condition, noting that he had withdrawn from activities outside the family home.
This behaviour, according to the expert, "would qualify a diagnosis of agoraphobia."
The young Radford also acknowledged how unexpected his current situation has been, stating: "I never would have guessed I'd have the problems I have now."
He admitted that reaching out for support does not come easily, saying: "It's hard to say, like, 'oh, I'm struggling'."
Sue Radford is the mother of Britain’s largest family | Channel 5However, Josh expressed hope that sharing his story publicly might benefit others facing similar battles.
"I do hope that me doing this does give people courage to also open up and ask someone for help," he said as the teaser concluded.
Supporters quickly rallied around the family following their Instagram post, with many sharing their own experiences of mental health struggles.
One penned: "Josh should be proud of himself he will also be helping so many other young people know that they are not alone in feeling the same way mental health challenges affect millions of people and only inconsiderate and insensitive people don't understand this!"
"Sending hugs Sue keep going Josh," a second added, while another wrote: "My son has exactly the same it's nothing to be ashamed of shame on these people saying those things big hugs to you all."
"People have no idea, to those who truly suffer with anxiety etc will know the uncontrollable fear, stress and huge daily struggles to do simple things, my son suffers greatly and it cuts deep when people make uneducated comments. Sending love," someone else commented.
Another shared: "I agree. People should not make comments like that unless they know the full situation."
One more pointed out: "How cruel! I wonder how they would feel if someone made that comment about their child!" (sic)