{"id":1935760,"date":"2026-05-13T20:07:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1935760"},"modified":"2026-05-13T20:07:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:07:23","slug":"love-islands-alex-george-tells-followers-you-are-loved-as-he-shares-mental-health-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1935760","title":{"rendered":"Love Island&#8217;s Alex George tells followers &#8216;you are loved&#8217; as he shares mental health challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/branded_news\/f061\/live\/aed3cbf0-4f06-11f1-af62-2fc3245b06b2.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 jTWPCV\">\n<figure class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 laOREU\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 ciXMDU\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-79783b34-1 gWJDQg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20260506-094152-fab693f842-web-3.4.0-2\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-79783b34-0 izIRVC hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/f061\/live\/aed3cbf0-4f06-11f1-af62-2fc3245b06b2.jpg.webp\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Getty Images Alex George, who is wearing a blue jacket and glasses\" class=\"sc-79783b34-0 clLFUe\"><span class=\"sc-79783b34-2 dUBtUF\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 gmICnp\"><figcaption class=\"sc-69115734-0 fjjgQs\">Dr Alex George has never shared this story until now<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\"><i id=\"warning---this-story-contains-discussion-of-suicide-and-suicidal-feelings-that-some-readers-may-find-distressing.\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 hTEgDj\"><b id=\"warning---this-story-contains-discussion-of-suicide-and-suicidal-feelings-that-some-readers-may-find-distressing.\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 kKtEQU\">Warning &#8211; This story contains discussion of suicide and suicidal feelings that some readers may find distressing.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">Former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George has revealed that he &#8220;wanted to end&#8221; his life two years ago, before deciding to go for a run which &#8220;genuinely saved my life&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">The former A&amp;E doctor, who grew up in Carmarthenshire, said that when he returned from doing the exercise, his mood had improved enough for him to call a friend to ask for help.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">George, who made the remarks in a video on Instagram to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, said he wanted to help reduce &#8220;shame and stigma&#8221; around mental health challenges, telling followers &#8220;you are loved&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">His 19-year-old brother Ll\u0177r died by suicide in 2020, with George previously saying his brother had not told his family &#8220;that he was struggling&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">In a video posted on Tuesday, George said: &#8220;I have never shared this story until now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;Two years ago, I sat on these stairs and thought about ending my life. In fact, I wanted to end my life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;I was so agitated that I was scared. I was scaring myself because I felt out of control,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">He said he then looked at his dog Rolo sat at the bottom of the stairs. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;And I thought &#8216;I have to try and stay&#8217; and so I gave myself an option, either I leave now or I go for a run.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;And going on that run genuinely saved my life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">He said the run &#8220;lifted me just enough&#8221; so that when he came back he called a friend to ask for help. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;And that phone call led on to the changes that mean that I&#8217;m still sat on these stairs in my flat today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;That is how close it came and the thing I reflect on is that no-one would have had a clue, looking before or even after, the crossroads that I was at,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 hoFfRa\">\n<figure class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 laOREU\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 gmICnp\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-79783b34-1 fMoqii\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20260506-094152-fab693f842-web-3.4.0-2\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-79783b34-0 izIRVC hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/d339\/live\/0af6d530-4f07-11f1-af62-2fc3245b06b2.jpg.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Getty Images Alex George, wearing a brown and blue striped top\" class=\"sc-79783b34-0 clLFUe\"><span class=\"sc-79783b34-2 dUBtUF\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 gmICnp\"><figcaption class=\"sc-69115734-0 fjjgQs\">George appeared on Love Island in 2018 before becoming a mental health ambassador for the UK government<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">George, who appeared on Love Island in 2018 before becoming a mental health ambassador for the UK government in 2021, said he wanted to help reduce shame and stigma around the issue, as well as to give people hope and help them feel seen. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">The 35-year-old added: &#8220;Bad days do come. Some days are really dark, but better days are always on their way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\">&#8220;I want people to know, no matter what, you are deserving of life, you are loved and you should stay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-9cd5bb24-0 lmzibM\">\n<div class=\"sc-cd6075cf-0 DQtHs\">\n<div class=\"sc-82b3c53b-0 IAFLu\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a18e57c-0 HooNV\"><i id=\"if-you-have-been-affected-by-the-issues-raised-in-this-story,-details-of-organisations-which-can-provide-help-and-support-is-available-at\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 hTEgDj\"><b id=\"if-you-have-been-affected-by-the-issues-raised-in-this-story,-details-of-organisations-which-can-provide-help-and-support-is-available-at\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 kKtEQU\">If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, details of organisations which can provide help and support is available at <\/b><\/i><i id=\"bbc-action-line\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 hTEgDj\"><b id=\"bbc-action-line\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 kKtEQU\">BBC Action Line<\/b><\/i><i id=\".\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 hTEgDj\"><b id=\".\" class=\"sc-4029fe79-0 kKtEQU\">.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c8930ydk4gpo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/branded_news\/f061\/live\/aed3cbf0-4f06-11f1-af62-2fc3245b06b2.jpg&#8221;] Getty Images Dr Alex George has never shared this story until now Warning &#8211; This story contains discussion of suicide and suicidal feelings that some readers may find distressing. Former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George has revealed that he &#8220;wanted to end&#8221; his life two years ago, before deciding to go [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-1935760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1935760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1935760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1935760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1935760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1935760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1935760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}