Alex George has admitted he doesn’t think he will ever ‘get over’ the passing of his younger brother Llŷr earlier this year.
The Love Island star’s brother tragically took his own life in July aged 19 and was just weeks away from getting into medical school and following in Alex’s footsteps.
Speaking on Frankie Bridge’s Open Mind podcast, Alex, 30, said his brother’s passing was ‘out of the blue’ and he didn’t realise he was suffering from mental health issues.
Honest: Alex George has admitted he doesn’t think he will ever ‘get over’ the passing of his younger brother Llŷr earlier this year
He said: ‘It’s been a tough few months, he passed on the 23rd of June so not that long ago. I’m probably still very much in a numb phase.
‘I went through the horror, shock, breakdown in the first few weeks. It was out of the blue entirely. As an older brother, it’s tough to have a younger sibling do that. He had a place in medical school, he was due to start this year.
‘I’ll never get over it, I think it will take me a long time to accept it. It was very much out of the blue. I think he was anxious about his exam results but we certainly didn’t think he felt like that.’
Alex added that he wished his brother had said something, explaining he found it difficult to keep in frequent contact with all his family members during the coronavirus lockdown.
Family: The Love Island star’s brother tragically passed away in July aged 19 and was just weeks away from getting into medical school and following in Alex’s footsteps
He said: ‘You would have wanted him to say something. I try to check in with the family as often as I could but it was hard when I was here in lockdown. I would’ve hoped he would have said something. It’s unfortunate that some things will never be answered.’
Speaking about her own battles with mental health, Frankie said: ‘I’ve felt suicidal in the past but never to the point where I planned it or would have followed it through. The ones who follow it through are the ones who hide it the best.’
Alex agreed, saying: ‘Men particularly, often don’t share. I think at the point where talking about your mental health is as comfortable as talking about a cold or a physical problem, that is the level we will see real change.
‘It’s a stereotype but it is true, men find it difficult. It’s societal expectations, it’s cultural norms. I don’t think there is enough support at schools. Mental health is a small part of what goes on at schools.’
Alex said: ‘It’s been a tough few months, he passed on the 23rd of June so not that long ago. I’m probably still very much in a numb phase’
He added: ‘Mental health isn’t something that is fixed overnight, it takes a lot of work. Being really open and listening to what the person has to say, give them the space, having that really open door and supporting them through that journey.’
Alex confirmed his brother’s passing on social media in July, describing him as ‘the kindest and most caring soul’.
The star also said that the outing of support he received from members of the public in the days after his brother’s death was a great source of comfort for him.
He said: ‘When my brother passed away, I felt it was important that I made it clear what happened. I didn’t want to shy away from the fact it was suicide.
‘[My family] all said it was the right thing to do. I did that post and the reaction was incredible. The number of people that engaged and messaged me was unbelievable. It did actually help me in those days afterwards.
‘I didn’t sleep for four days. I did need that time afterwards to reflect on what happened and be with the family.’
Interview: Alex spoke to Frankie Bridge, who also discussed her own mental health issues, on her Open Minds podcast
The doctor previously said that educating children about mental health should be made a ‘priority’ at schools.
Speaking on Lorraine, Dr Alex said mental health should be taught in schools as it’s important to provide children with a toolkit.
He told Lorraine Kelly: ‘We’re really moving into a mental health crisis in schools and around the country.
‘Recent statistics released show there’s been over 1.5million increases in the number of cases of children struggling with their mental health since Covid and very sadly, a sharp increase in the number of suicides too, so we do have to take it seriously.’
Dr Alex said that while there is some ‘fantastic work’ being done across the country, every child deserves the right to good mental health education.
He said: ‘There’s some fantastic work being done… people who are really passionate about this and there are incredible resources out there with Time to Change, Heads Together, but we need to integrate that in all schools around the country.
Alex said: ‘I think at the point where talking about your mental health is as comfortable as talking about a cold or a physical problem, that is the level we will see real change’
‘So you haven’t just got pockets of good mental health teaching and support, it should be in every school.
‘In my opinion, every child has a right to good mental health education and good mental health support, which means counsellors in every school.’
Dr Alex said there needs to be funding for mental health education at schools and it should sit as a subject alongside maths and English.
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He added: ‘I don’t think there is enough support at schools. Mental health is a small part of what goes on at schools’