Dr Alex George has been appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson after speaking out following his brother’s death last year.
The Love Island star, 30, has been passionately campaigning for better mental health provision as he struggled with the loss of his brother Llŷr, who took his life at the age of 19 in July.
The A&E doctor met with the Prime Minister in No. 10 Downing Street as he was appointed into the unpaid role, which was announced on Wednesday.
Downing Street: Dr Alex George has been appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson after speaking out following his brother’s death last year
His role as Youth Mental Health Ambassador will be to advise government, help shape policy on improving support for young people and raise the profile of mental health education and wellbeing in schools.
Dr. Alex has been a passionate online campaigner for children’s mental health since he tragically lost his younger brother to suicide last year.
On New Year’s Day, he wrote on his Instagram that his number one goal this year was to ‘help bring meaningful change to mental health education at schools across the UK’ and he has been calling for a meeting with the PM.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was ‘delighted’ to appoint Dr. Alex as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador, saying: ‘Children and young people have heroically adapted to save lives and protect our NHS.
Loss: The Love Island star, 30, has been campaigning for better mental health provision as he struggled with the loss of his brother Llŷr, who took his life at the age of 19 in July last year
‘This has understandably had a huge impact on their mental health, so I want to shine a spotlight on this vital issue ahead of their return to school.
‘I’m delighted that Dr. Alex George will be working with us as we do everything in our power to improve people’s mental wellbeing.’
Dr. Alex said: ‘The last year has been unimaginably difficult for all of us, but particularly for young people who have sacrificed so much.
‘I am honoured to be appointed for this role where I’ll be working closely with government to make mental health an absolute priority and hope to have a positive impact on the lives of young people and their education for good.
‘Right now young people need a voice in government, and I hope that through this role I can advocate for meaningful change in this area.’
Success! Dr. Alex announced the news on his Instagram along with a picture of him meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street
Downing Street confirmed that Dr. Alex will start his role immediately, and will work within the Department for Education, although he will remain independent of government.
He will sit on the new Mental Health in Education Action Group, chaired by Children’s Minister Vicky Ford and Universities Minister Michelle Donelan – which will look specifically at how we support young people with their wellbeing as they return to school and university after this difficult year.
Taking to his Instagram to announce the news, Dr. Alex shared a picture with Boris Johnson and wrote in the caption: ‘WE DID IT!! You called and the PM answered!! I have been appointed as the Ambassador for Mental Health.
‘It hasn’t sunk in yet and I’m not sure it ever will. I am truly humbled. In my role, I will be working closely with the Government to make mental health an absolute priority.
‘Never has mental health been more important than now. From schools to universities, the NHS and the wider public, MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.
‘For the current as well as future generations, we must do everything in our power to bring meaningful change.
Busy man: The A&E doctor will start his unpaid role immediately, and will work within the Department for Education, although he will remain independent of government
‘Nothing will bring my brother back but if I can make a positive impact that saves even one life, it will be worth moving mountains for. There is much work to be done. Particularly in the coming weeks and months.
‘Thanks to each and every one of you for your incredible support. Thank you also to the Prime Minister and Government for recognising our campaign and showing a desire to make a real change moving forward.
‘I hope I can make you all proud. Most of all I hope I can make my brother proud, we will do it together my boy. LET’S DO THIS.’
The doctor, who works in A&E at London’s Lewisham Hospital, took to social media in January to urge Boris Johnson to meet with him.
He penned a candid letter to the Prime Minister on Instagram, urging him to give more value to ‘support for emotional and mental wellbeing’ in schools.
‘Let’s talk’: The doctor, who works in A&E at London’s Lewisham Hospital, took to social media earlier this year to urge Boris Johnson to meet with him
He shared a snap of himself holding a handwritten banner reading ‘Boris let’s talk #mentalhealthmatters’ alongside his lengthy caption.
The reality TV star said he has spent ‘months’ researching and speaking to charities and believes that mental wellbeing needs to be treated with the ‘same importance as core subjects such as Maths and English’.
He explained that the issue has only become ‘more important’ due to the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, saying that each loss of life to suicide is ‘potentially preventable’.
Dr Alex urged his 1.6million followers to share his call for action and tag Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who he also requested to meet with.
His lengthy caption read: ‘DEAR BORIS JOHNSON, Our children have a right to receive quality mental health education and support that adequately prepares them for the world in which we live.
Call for action: Dr Alex penned a letter to the Prime Minister on Instagram in January, urging him to give more value to ‘support for emotional and mental wellbeing’ in schools
‘I have spent the last few months speaking with mental health charities, teachers, parents and education leads and we all agree that things need to change.
‘From my discussions and research, I believe there are clear areas that we can and must improve on.
‘Education and support for emotional and mental wellbeing needs to be treated with the same importance as core subjects such as Maths and English.
‘Happy and well supported children are much more likely to enjoy and engage in education and become well rounded adults and more able to cope with the pressures of modern life.
‘This has never been more important, especially with the effects of the pandemic.
Mental health: The reality TV star said he spent ‘months’ researching and believes mental health needs to be given the ‘same importance as core subjects such as Maths and English’
‘This has never been more important’: He said the issue has only become ‘more important’ due to the Covid-19 crisis, saying that each loss of life to suicide is ‘potentially preventable’
‘Too many lives are lost each year to suicide, each one of them a potentially preventable loss of life. How many more lives must we lose before we act?
‘I would like to meet with yourself and Secretary of State for Education @gavinwilliamson.mp to discuss the changes which I propose. I look forward to hearing from you, Dr Alex George.
‘Please tag @borisjohnsonuk and share to make this happen’
The TV doctor did not stop there, as he also shared a flood of posts on his Instagram stories urging his followers to help him ‘act’.
Speaking about his brother’s death, he wrote: ‘I might not be able to help my brother. But I can help other children and young adults, with your help. Together.’
Anger: Dr Alex also fumed in all caps that ‘our children have a right to mental health education’, arguing that ‘they deserve better’ as he vowed he would not give up
Support: The A&E doctor also shared driven reactions from his fans, including teachers and practitioners, who argued that ‘not enough’ was being done to ‘protect mental health’
He added: ‘I have been quiet until now. Gathering information. Speaking to experts. Understanding the issue. Now it’s time to act. Please help me.’
Dr Alex also fumed in all caps that ‘our children have a right to mental health education’, arguing that ‘they deserve better’ as he vowed he would not give up.
He also shared driven reactions from his fans, including teachers and practitioners, who argued that ‘not enough’ was being done to ‘protect mental health’.
The doctor also posted an array of messages continuing to thank his followers for all of their support; His comments come after he endured his first Christmas without his brother Llŷr.
Grieving: Last month, Dr Alex returned for a new series of his podcast The Waiting Room, and opened with a tribute to Llŷr, who died in July
Last month, Dr Alex returned for a new series of his podcast The Waiting Room, and opened with a tribute to Llŷr.
‘I’ve been going through the hardest time in my personal life after loosing my brother Llŷr to mental health in July,’ he told listeners. ‘He was only 19 with a career in medicine ahead of him.
‘I was so so proud of him. I miss him so much and he is always in my thoughts.’
Dr Alex also recalled what someone ‘very very wise’ told him after his brother passed away.
‘Life throws us into the deep end at times but with the help of family and friends we overcome even the most seemingly surmountable of challenges. Just know you are never alone.’
Reflecting on the grieving process, he added: ‘Grief is an ongoing process and I’ll never get over losing Llŷr, but i want to continue doing the things that are important to me.’
A&E doctor Alex – who shot to fame on Love Island 2018 – was debuting the fourth series of the podcast after a trying year.
He’s been treating Covid-19 patients at Lewisham Hospital in London and sharing his experiences with the nation in his role as a TV medic.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org