Dr Alex: ‘The pain of losing my brother’
Former Love Island star Dr Alex George opens up about losing his younger brother, a year after he took his own life…
It’s been a year since Dr Alex George’s younger brother, Llŷr, took his life – but the 30-year-old has revealed their family still think about him, every single day.
‘I think the hardest part of it is you’ll never have an absolute understanding of why. And every day I think of my brother, as does my family, and of course we think a lot about, “What if?” I wish we could speak to him and have that conversation. The hardest thing about losing Llŷr was the fact we didn’t feel like we had the chance to help him.’
Llŷr was just 19 when he took his life last July and it was his older brother, Dr Alex, who broke the news on Instagram.
‘I can’t believe I am actually writing this post. I have lost my beautiful little brother to mental health. I love you so much Llŷr. The kindest and most caring soul. I was so proud of you starting medical school next month, you would have been the most incredible doctor. We are hurting so bad. No words can explain. As a family we are devastated. We love you and miss you so much. Please rest in peace x Our boy.’
Since then, the A&E doctor has campaigned for an increased awareness of mental illness and has spoken on Lorraine before about Llŷr’s death.
‘My life is before and after this. I’ll never get over it,’ he said. ‘I felt tremendous guilt. I am his older brother, I’m supposed to protect him.’
And on the poignant year anniversary the doctor took to Instagram again to post a tribute to Llŷr.
‘I can’t believe it’s been a year. Some days I really can’t accept or understand that you are not here. We miss you so much Llŷr. You give me so much strength, even when times are tough and it would be easy to give up. Mum, Dad and Elliott are doing OK, they miss you so much too. I would do anything to go out for a spin in the car with you again. Love you x.’
Dr Alex was made Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson earlier this year and he believes there’s more to be done. ‘It’s important to look out for changes in behaviour in family and friends… ask them how they’re doing,’ he told Ranvir Singh on Lorraine last week.
‘ What I found very hard is that I think Llŷr hadn’t felt that he could say it and I worry that shame was a big part of it.
‘There’s a lot more to do, particularly around young men, of changing this feeling of: “I shouldn’t be struggling, I shouldn’t ask for help” – there’s no shame in that.’
‘I think you’re amazing for what you do, with all the pain you’re carrying,’ Ranvir told Alex at the end of his interview, as she broke down in tears. ‘Because you just think of your own family, don’t you?’
So true, Ranvir.
‘There is no shame in asking for help’