JOEY Essex may be best known for his persona on The Only Way is Essex, but behind all of this is a terrible tragedy.
For the last two decades, the reality star has been burying his grief over his mother’s tragic death.
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Who was Joey Essex’s mum Tina?
Joey Essex’s mum Tina took her own life in 2001 after a battle with depression when Joey was 10 and his sister Frankie was 13.
The 32-year-old took to Instagram on March 2022, to share a childhood snap of himself lying next to his beloved mum.
He captioned the image: “It don’t get easier, but I do this all for you. I got nothing to prove to anyone but you mum.
“I’ll keep trying to make you proud.”
He added: “Smiling as much as possible. One day I’ll see you again anyway… happy birthday.”
How did she die?
Joey’s mum Tina sadly took her own life when he was just ten years old.
The reality star says he still struggles because he never processed the death of his mother in 2001, which came after a battle with depression.
He briefly opened up while taking part in Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins in 2020 about her death.
Joey explained on the show: “I had to deal with a lot of [stuff]. My mum committed suicide when I was ten which was difficult.”
He continued: “It hardened me up a little bit. I can’t explain it. It’s made me tougher inside. I only sort of started being able to talk about it openly, saying the word mum three or four years ago.
“I know my mum loved me. But it has given me trust issues. One day she was there one day she was gone.”
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
Read Related Also: ‘Perfect Match’: Are Joey and Kariselle Still Together? [Exclusive]
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, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
Where can I watch Joey Essex: Grief And Me?
In 2020 Joey filmed a BBC Three documentary where he turned to therapy after realising the grief is killing his dream of starting a family and finding true love.
Breaking down in tears, he says: “My mum loved me, but she left me. I just think to myself: If she loved me that much, why would she leave me?
“Imagine if I was with someone and I had kids with them and I really did love that person and then she left me. I wouldn’t know what to do.
“I’m already thinking we’re gonna break up before we’re together. I’m pushing it away.
“I know I need to change things now so I’ve decided to look for help.”
The drama, titled Joey Essex: Grief and me, is out on BBC iplayer now.
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