‘There’s no type when it comes to mental health’: Dr Alex George opens up about teenage brother’s death
The Love Island star describes receiving the news as ‘the most indescribable physical pain I’ve ever felt’
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Your support makes all the difference.Dr Alex George has spoken out about his younger brother's death, and is demanding change from the government regarding mental health.
The former Love Island contestant opened up about his shock when he found out 19-year-old Llŷr had died by suicide, and admitted he had no idea his brother was struggling with mental health issues.
Describing the moment his dad called to tell him the news when he was out at a restaurant in July last year, Dr Alex said he experienced "the most indescribable physical pain I’ve ever felt".
Writing in Fabulous magazine, he said: "In that moment my world fell apart, it came down around me. It shattered."
The 30-year-old describes his younger brother as a "mini-me" who wanted to work in the NHS and loved science.
He wrote: "He would have been a credit to my profession and to society. He was one of the good guys.
"But still in his teens, with no diagnosed prior history of a mental health condition, he took his own life, leaving our family shattered and irrevocably changed.
"On paper, Llŷr didn’t look like someone who might have a mental health condition but that’s the rub — there’s no 'type’ when it comes to mental health and suicide."
The former reality star said Llŷr didn't share his mental health battle with him, despite the fact he and his brother had a close relationship.
He said: "Not once did Llŷr tell me how he was feeling. I’m a doctor, we were very close, he knew I was a mental health advocate and hugely passionate about it.
"We spoke and messaged constantly and still he kept how he was feeling to himself."
Earlier this month, Dr Alex wrote to Boris Johnson to demand improved mental health education and provision for young people.
The medic's requests included access to counsellors in schools, increased funding for mental health services, more education for trainee teachers on how to teach about mental health and access to mental health support services for teachers.
He said Number 10 responded to him last week and "opened the door to begin discussions".
If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
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