Blue singer Simon Webbe reveals he lost his younger brother to suicide in November as he speaks out on his own mental health battle
- The Blue singer spoke to OK! Magazine about the loss of his brother Straon
- Simon, 40, told OK! that his brother’s suicide has ‘taught me that people just need to be honest about what they need personally’
- The star shared a photo of Straon on his Instagram account last week as he paid tribute to his sibling and spoke about his own battles
- In 2014 Simon revealed his own battle with severe depression, admitting he turned to drinking a bottle of brandy a day after being declared bankrupt
Simon Webbe has revealed his brother Straon took his own life two months ago after a mental health struggle.
The Blue singer spoke out on the sad news to OK! Magazine, admitting he has only recently returned to social media in order to start a conversation about mental health following his younger brother’s death.
Simon, 40, told OK! that his brother’s suicide has ‘taught me that people just need to be honest about what they need personally’.
Loss: Blue singer Simon Webbe has revealed his brother Straon took his own life two months ago after a mental health struggle
‘I’ve actually been off social media until recently because I sadly lost my brother to suicide almost two months ago,’ Simon explained to the magazine.
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‘It is something that is taboo. It’s taught me that people just need to be honest about what they need personally.’
‘We need to stop being afraid and stop looking for validation. We need to ask people if they are actually okay, start healing and accept who we are, the troubles that we have and talk about it.’
Brother: The Blue singer spoke out on the sad news to OK! Magazine as well as sharing a photo and heartfelt tribute on Instagram last week
Simon shared a photo of Straon on his Instagram account last week as he paid tribute to his sibling.
‘It’s 2019 and I feel this is a year where we should be thankful, stop searching for perfection cause you will never find it,’ he wrote in the heartfelt message.
Simon went on to write that he was working away from home at the time of Straon’s death.
‘I lost my brother Straon to suicide while I was working in Bradford! He was someone I thought I’d see again and hurts me deep that people, like myself struggle everyday with Mental health issues.’
Bandmates: In 2014 Simon revealed his own battle with severe depression, eventually turning to his Blue bandmates Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Anthony Costa for help (pictured in 2017)
He concluded the post by telling his fans: ‘It’s taboo and needs to be brought to the forefront, we can all start by asking someone, anyone close to you ‘ how are you really feeling’ after that the key is to listen. Can we start there? I’m back on socials and will support the #mentalhealth movement as I always have. Please be brave and talk!!!!’
In 2014 Simon revealed his own battle with severe depression, admitting he turned to drinking a bottle of brandy a day after a reunion tour with his band finished and property losses forced him to declare bankruptcy in 2013.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said: ‘I didn’t leave the house for weeks on end except to buy bread or milk. I hated who I was and started questioning my whole life. I was really depressed.
Music: Simon has revealed that he’s been writing material inspired by his brother, sharing: ‘This is a picture from a video I shot called I’m A Do Me, a track that says do you and be fearless’
‘I never attempted suicide but I thought about it. I turned mirrors round so I didn’t have to look at myself. I didn’t want to be here, didn’t want to be a part of anything. I wanted to black out.’
Simon eventually reached out to his Blue bandmates Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Anthony Costa for help, before signing to Strictly Come Dancing weeks later, which he said made him the ‘happiest I’d been in a long time.’
On Sunday Simon revealed that he’s been writing new solo material inspired by his brother, writing on Instagram: ‘This is a picture from a video I shot called I’m A Do Me, it’s a track that says even when your afraid to be yourself because of how you may be perceived, I say just do you and be fearless. What’s your fear????’
If you have been affected by the issues raised, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Family: Simon married wife Ayshen Kemal in August 2018 at the Corinthia Hotel in Westminster, London
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