U2's Adam Clayton has revealed how he quit alcohol to combat the 'suicidal thoughts' he struggled with during his early years with the band.

The 53-year-old rock star, who spoke during the National Walk in My Shoes Day, a fundraising and awareness event for St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin, urged young people to get help if they are feeling down.

"I am an ex-drinker and I am a very happy ex-drinker but before I got to that point I had been through the whole process of suicidal thoughts," said Clayton, reports the Irish Independent.

The money raised during National Walk in My Shoes Day will go towards providing mental health services to young adults at risk. For more information, go to www.walkinmyshoes.ie.