SO BRAVE
This Morning fans in tears as Joey Essex opens up about mum’s suicide when he was 10
THIS Morning viewers were in tears today as Joey Essex opened his heart about his mum's suicide when he was just 10.
Many said they were left on their sofas in floods of tears during the interview as Alison Hammond, who had also lost her mother, interviewed him.
5
Joey said he trusts very few people and fears girls will leave him in relationships - because that what he feels like his mum did.
A new BBC documentary sees the 30-year-old former Towie star go to therapy after his mum Tina took her own life aged 37 while battling depression.
He told the This Morning hosts: "People see this Joey Essex on TV laughing and joking. But behind closed doors when I get home I'm not laughing and joking any more.
"I'm sitting making a cup of tea and I'm sitting there on my own dealing with pain. You can't judge a book by its cover."
5
5
He spoke movingly about seeing a therapist, admitting he had been to counselling before but stayed a closed book and cancelled the seesions.
He said: "I felt anger, guilt, scared, paranoid. Just everything. I don't trust a lot of people. I've still got massive trust issues. Talking to a therapist scared me at the time."
Speaking about the film, she told him: "When I watched it, it stopped me in my tracks. I didn't lose my mum age 10, I lost my mum as an adult.
Alison told him: "There was a moment you said 'I’d give all of the fame and the fortune up for one hour with my mum.'"
5
5
Most read in TV
Her voice breaking, she said: "It just killed me. It’s killing me now... sorry.
The reality star, 30, told her: "I want to give you a hug" - but she politely said he couldn't."
Many viewers were moved to tears, with one writing: "So emotional watching Joey Essex on #ThisMorning! 😭 Really brave of him to speak about his mum."
Another wrote: "Sending lots of love to you joey I hope you can heal and settle down in future you deserve happiness so much and am sure your mam is looking down and agree your a lovely lad."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Topics