Alex George wants to meet Boris Johnson over mental health education

Dr Alex George has taken to social media to urge Boris Johnson to meet with him to discuss mental health education in schools.

The Love Island star, 30, has used his social media to candidly speak about mental health issues since his brother Llŷr tragically took his own life in July last year.

And Dr Alex penned a letter to the Prime Minister on Instagram on Sunday, urging him to give more value to ‘support for emotional and mental wellbeing’ in schools.

‘Let’s talk’: Dr Alex George has taken to social media to urge Boris Johnson to meet with him to discuss mental health education in schools

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’. 

Alex urged his 1.5million followers to share his call for action and tag Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who he also requested to meet with.

Tragic: The Love Island star, 30, has used his social media to candidly speak about mental health issues since his brother Llŷr took his own life aged 19 in July last year

Tragic: The Love Island star, 30, has used his social media to candidly speak about mental health issues since his brother Llŷr took his own life aged 19 in July last year

Call for action: Dr Alex penned a letter to the Prime Minister on Instagram on Sunday, urging him to give more value to 'support for emotional and mental wellbeing' in schools

Call for action: Dr Alex penned a letter to the Prime Minister on Instagram on Sunday, urging him to give more value to ‘support for emotional and mental wellbeing’ in schools

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.

‘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.  

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'

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'

‘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’

‘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. 

‘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’ 

And the famous doctor did not stop there, as he also shared a flood of posts on his Instagram stories urging his followers to help him ‘act’.

Anger: 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

Share: Alex urged his 1.5million followers to share his call for action and tag Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who he also requested to meet with.

Anger: 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'

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’

After revealing his post had become much bigger than he expected, he said that he will be appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Monday morning to discuss the vital issue. 

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.’

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.’

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’.

Progress! After revealing his post had become much bigger than he expected, he said that he will be appearing on ITV's Lorraine on Monday morning to discuss the vital issue

Progress! After revealing his post had become much bigger than he expected, he said that he will be appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Monday morning to discuss the vital issue 

Overwhelming reaction: The TV star, who works in A&E at London's Lewisham Hospital, also posted an array of messages continuing to thank his followers for all of their support

Overwhelming reaction: The TV star, who works in A&E at London’s Lewisham Hospital, also posted an array of messages continuing to thank his followers for all of their support

The doctor, who works in A&E at London’s Lewisham Hospital, 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, who tragically committed suicide, aged 19 in July last year.

Alex confirmed his brother’s passing on social media in July, describing him as ‘the kindest and most caring soul’. 

Earlier this 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. 

‘I’ve been going through the hardest time in my personal life after loosing my brother Llŷr to mental health in July,’ Alex told listeners. ‘He was only 19 with a career in medicine ahead of him. 

Family: The Love Island star's brother tragically passed away in July aged 19 and was just weeks away from getting into medical school and following in Alex's footsteps

Family: The Love Island star’s brother tragically passed away in July aged 19 and was just weeks away from getting into medical school and following in Alex’s footsteps

‘I was so so proud of him. I miss him so much and he is always in my thoughts.’ 

Alex used the opportunity to advise others in similar circumstances. 

‘To anyone who is struggling please reach out and ask for help. There is always hope of a better day.’ 

Alex 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.’

Grieving: Earlier this 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

Grieving: Earlier this 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 

Reflecting on the grieving process, Alex 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.

Hero: The doctor has been treating Covid-19 patients at Lewisham Hospital in London and sharing his experiences with the nation in his role as a TV medic

Hero: The doctor has been treating Covid-19 patients at Lewisham Hospital in London and sharing his experiences with the nation in his role as a TV medic