Dr Alex George: Why the Government’s new Mental Health ambassador is the perfect man for the job

We’re approaching the year anniversary of the UK’s first national lockdown. The pandemic has unveiled some ugly truths about certain influencers, but for NHS front line worker and former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George, the past 12 months have been life-changing.

A lot of former reality television stars find themselves under the scrutiny of the press, analysed for their skimpy outfits, wild party weekends, or recently, jetting off to Dubai, to lap up brand opportunities in the middle of a global pandemic. For some, money and TV time might buy the latest designer handbag or Jimmy Choo collection shoes, but it can’t buy sense or empathy. Having said that, it’s important not to tar everyone with the same brush.

“WE DID IT!” Dr Alex George’s latest Instagram post reads, of course referring to his new role as the UK Government's new Youth Mental Health Ambassador. The former Love Island contestant is pictured in a rather dashing grey suit and tie, sitting across the table from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who appointed him the role. His job is to help advise the Government and greaten the importance of mental health and wellbeing education in schools.

Dr Alex is the sort of influencer we need more of. He decided to return to the NHS as an A&E doctor 5 months after his reality television stint in 2018, after admitting he genuinely missed it.

The announcement of his new role was made during children’s mental health week, after what has undeniably been an impossible year for young people, who have sacrificed a lot more than just their education as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The pains and pressures of growing up in the digital age are overbearing, and lockdown has meant that a lot more is happening virtually. Dr Alex is a friendly and incredibly real face, who breaks up the endless timeline façade of airbrushed skin and perfectly chiselled physique. His much-needed presence serves a greater purpose.

A 2017 study conducted by the NHS found that one in nine children under the age of 16 were identified as having a probable mental health disorder. Just last year that statistic increased to every one in six, something which unfortunately Dr George is personally familiar with.

Own infographic designed using Canva

In July last year, he was struck with the devastation of losing his younger brother Llŷr to suicide. Alex described his brother as a “mini-me”, who wanted to follow in his footsteps and one day work as a doctor too. Despite their closeness, not once did Llyr share his battle, or open up about how he was feeling.

When you picture a young person struggling with depression, you might immediately be drawn to the image of that one girl with dyed jet-black hair and fishnet gloves, sitting alone at the back of her maths class. Depression doesn’t have a face and the dangerously constructed stereotype of an angsty teen scrolling through Tumblr and listening to My Chemical Romance might mean that your friend who takes care of himself and looks forward to a successful career, is suffering in silence.

Finn Knight, a 17-year old college student from Wiltshire revealed "It's actually more rare for a friend to be mentally okay at the moment."

Alex recognises this, and his passion and determination to destigmatise mental health concerns is unmatched. Masked and wearing NHS uniform, Dr Alex regularly posts to his Instagram page. His tired eyes and sight of the emergency department hospital ward in the background are a reminder of his importance, but also the sacrifices key workers continue to make throughout the pandemic. Dr Alex is an inspiration to his younger following.

Earlier this year, when Alex contacted the Prime Minister to demand better mental health funding and education in schools, Boris Johnson swiftly opened the doors of number 10 to begin further discussion.

But his newly appointed role was not the beginning of a journey for George, he’s been working around mental health for the past three years and spoke at Ten Downing Street on World Mental Health Day in 2018.

In an official announcement, his new line of work was introduced.

“In my role, I will be working closely with the Government to make mental health an absolute priority,” he announced. “For the current as well as future generations, we must do everything in our power to bring meaningful change.”

Alex is on a mental health mission that keeps growing and just recently his efforts have meant the Government has approved £79 million worth of funding.