Dr. Alex George Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles

Dr  has revealed for the first time that he came close to taking his own life two years ago.

The former Love Islander and mental health activist, 35, took to Instagram on Tuesday amid Mental Health Awareness Week to share some candid advice.

He told how he had ended up in a 'dark place' in 2024 but that running and leaning on his friends for support helped him onto a happier path.

Dr Alex has always been open about his mental health struggles and lost his younger brother Llyr to suicide in 2020.

In his new post Alex sat on the stairs of his London flat and said: 'I've never shared this story until now. Two years ago I sat on these stairs and thought about ending my life. In fact I wanted to end my life. I was so agitated that I was scared.

'I was scaring myself because I felt out of control. But I looked at Rolo (his dog) sat at the bottom of these stairs and said I have to try and stay. I gave myself the option - either I leave now or I go for a run.

'And going on that run genuinely saved my life. It lifted me just enough so that when I came back I called my friend Adam, I asked for help. And that phone call led on to the changes that mean that I'm still sat on these stairs in my flat today. That is how close it came.

'No one would have had a clue looking before or even after the crossroads I was at. I wanted to share this because Mental Health Awareness Week isn't just about reducing shame and stigma, it's genuinely about giving people hope.

'Some days are really dark but better days are always on their way. No matter what you are deserving of life, you are loved and you should stay.'

He then penned in the caption of his video: 'I've never shared this before and I wasn't sure I ever would. The reality is I was in such a dark place and was so close to not being here anymore. People say running saved their life and in that moment, it genuinely saved mine.

'That phone call changed the course of the evening and saved me. I am so glad I asked for help.

'Please remember that whilst dark times do come, better days are always on their way. You are deserving of life. You are loved. You should stay.'

Back in December Dr  revealed the heartbreaking reason he was spending alone, five years after the death of his brother.  

Alex has been open about how hard the loss was for him and his family and has since gone on to become a mental health advocate. Earlier this year, he also revealed he had been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

At Christmas, the star opened up about his decision not to spend the festive season with his family after the previous year's festivities were 'a car crash'. 'This wasn't an easy choice, and it's definitely not something I took lightly,' he wrote. 'But it's what feels right for me this year.'

Alex said that while Christmas is meant to feel 'magical', it can be really difficult when someone you love is missing from the table. 

'Christmas is supposed to feel magical, but if I'm honest I find it really difficult,' he wrote in the caption. 'Everything suddenly ramps up, the diary gets jam packed, there's a lot of emotion, and constant reminders that someone is missing.'

Speaking in the video, Alex said: 'The reason I am deciding to do this is because it was a car crash last Christmas. 

'I was struggling towards the end of the year. I've now been diagnosed with OCD and I think what I didn't realise was the OCD was just in like a downward horrendous spiral and I went home for Christmas and it was in hindsight the worst thing to do because that house with my family, who I love to bits, was a toxic environment for someone who's really struggling.