Married At First Sight Aus’ Jessika reveals secret heartache after her boyfriend’s suicide and her brother’s attempts
MARRIED At First Sight's Jessika Power has opened up about the impact suicide has had on her life.
The reality star revealed her ex boyfriend took his own life while on the phone to her and her popular brother Rhys also attempted suicide four times.
Speaking to Jamie Laing on his Private Parts podcast, she opened up about how living through the trauma has made her tougher.
"It was tough at times, I have a really thick skin, and nothing really affects me," she told Jamie.
"I’ve had abusive partners who have left me in hospital and I’ve had to take them to court. I’ve had a lot happen to me, so my skin's very thick."
Speaking about her ex partner’s death, she explained: “For a long time I took the blame myself, but over time I realised there were so many more demons happening in order for that to happen.
"But the worst bit was that he was in an induced coma for a week, so he didn’t just pass away. Seeing him, the gel was still in the hair from that night and the funeral.
"I was treated like a widow in a sense because we had just broken up. It was rough and it was terrible but that’s why I use my amazing platform to speak on men’s mental health."
Jessika added: "It’s okay to be okay, it doesn’t make you any less of a man to not be okay. Don’t suppress how you feel, talk it out."
The blonde bombshell also revealed her brother Rhys who also appeared on MAFS Australia has had a tough mental health battle.
“My brother has tried to commit suicide four times. All these people see my brother on a TV show and think he is so good looking and must come across so confident, but he has internal battles as well," she explained.
'The hardest thing is, it’s not hard because I would go to heaven and hell for my brother, but he only trusts me, he only comes to me.
"I don’t know, I just have to constantly build him up and he can come and cry to me.
"I’ve been laying in bed and I’ve had my brother knock at my door and he just lay on me and cry. I just let him cry and ask him what’s wrong. I’ve been to counselling sessions with him and tried to help him as much as I can.”
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.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
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
- Movember,
- Anxiety UK , 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
Jessika recently revealed to The Sun she stopped having sex with her MAFS 'husband' Mick after a secret death in her family that went unaired.
She said: "My grandma passed away when I was on the show. Jules brought it up in a commitment ceremony when we were talking about intimacy with Mick.
"I said, it just isn't happening, my nan's passed away.
"Jules stood up and said 'I'm sorry love, but I'm finding it hard to believe this because you've always got an excuse'.
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";To say that when my nan had just passed away... A lot of things like that were covered up.
"I think it's because if it was shown then viewers might feel some sort of remorse, and the villain title would go out of the window."