MIKE Thalassitis’ death “hit home” for friends Clelia Theodorou and Shelby Tribble who admit reality TV pressures left them feeling “low and stressed out”.
The Towie stars were left rocked after 26-year-old Mike was found dead in a suspected suicide after a secret battle with depression.
The tragedy prompted Love Island to offer therapy after ex-stars complained of “zero aftercare”.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, Clelia said: “Everyone has been hit hard, even people who didn’t know Mike.
“It’s so horrible because it’s one of the biggest tragedies I’ve ever seen.
“He was good looking and such a lovely guy with so much to offer.
“It really hit home. You never know what people are going through.
“There are times when me and Shelby have been at very low points, stressed out and had a lot of worries, but no one would have been able to tell. It’s hard.”
Best pal Shelby added: “We’re really lucky because everyone at Lime Pictures and Towie give us so much support and really look after us.”
Mike was found hanged in a park near his home in Edmonton, North London, on Saturday, March 16.
He had been left grief-stricken over the death of his beloved grandmother and was in a “dark place” with rumours he’d run up debts worth thousands of pounds.
Friends set up a Go Fund Me page to raise £25,000 for his funeral.
His heartbroken parents shut it down within a day over fears fraudsters would get hold of the money.
All £5,000 of the money raised before its closure will go to a mental health charity.
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
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:
Mike’s friends were still left reeling from his death as they revealed he had been looking forward to the future in the days before.
He was even due to launch a new restaurant, The Skillet with his business partner Scott.
Fans have campaigned for the name to be changed in honour of Mike.
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