Dr Alex George has opened up about some of the things he did to help himself come to terms with the death of his brother.
The A&E doctor, who was recently appointed by the government as a mental health ambassador, said that it was the 'little things' that helped him feel like he could cope again - but added that he'll never be the same person he was before.
The former Love Island star, 30, tragically lost his younger brother Llŷr to suicide in July last year, just before the 19-year-old was due to begin medical school.
Advert
Speaking to LADbible, he says: "When I first found out, it was really tough and I the first thing I say to people, I've only learned about this, it's that grieving is ongoing.
"I don't think it's something that just goes away, things like that don't just disappear. It takes time to learn to deal with it. The first thing you've got to do is sit with your thoughts for a little bit and just understand that it's ok that you're going to feel sad.
"If something bad happens in your life - not just a loss of a loved one, it could be something bad that's like the a relationship breakdown, losing your job or something like that - it's just accepting that sometimes these things are really hard and it's alright to feel like that."
Giving yourself the time to be sad does come with a caveat, though, as Dr Alex explains: "Then also not letting that last too long where you feel like you're getting in a rut.
Advert
"I really was like, 'right I feel terrible, what can I do to feel better?' The main thing I do is I look after myself, I exercise every day, I make sure I go for walks, natural light. Stomp, kick some leaves, have a bath bomb and enjoy a bath. Have time for you and speak to your family.
"They're just fundamental things and each one of those is what makes a difference. They're ultimately the things that lifted me out of where I was with my brother - that's what got me back to normality, that's what got me back to feeling like I could cope.
"The basis of speaking to people as well - sharing how you feel can make a huge difference."
"It takes time to get yourself back to who you are and to find yourself again if something happens. It's a journey. I look back on how I felt in the first few months - I look back month to month and I do change each month. It's rebuilding.
Advert
"I don't think I'll ever be the same though, I think I am different. I don't think I'll ever be the same person as I was before and I do feel different in some ways.
"Something as traumatic as it was with my brother, and the way that it happened, it'll affect you for the rest of your life. You don't ever get over that and I've learned that I have to live with this."
UOKM8? is a campaign by LADbible, featuring films and stories that provide advice and inspiration on mental health. Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Let's talk mental health.
MIND: 0300 123 3393.
Advert
Samaritans: 116 123.
CALM: Outside London 0808 802 5858, inside London 0800 58 58 58.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/dralexgeorgeTopics: Celebrity, UOKM8?, Community