The mum of tragic TV presenter Caroline Flack has revealed how she tried in vain to get her daughter to open about her “dark feelings” – in a bid to urge others to do the same.
Eight months after she lost her daughter at just 40 years old, Christine Flack has given a candid interview in which she revealed Caroline was always “frightened” the public would find out she was “vulnerable”.
Christine said that she would always strive to remind her daughter of all the good things she had in her life and her career – but said that her words were “not being heard”.
But Caroline would always reprimand her mother for passing judgement on people that she did not know, based on how they appeared on television, Christine said.
Love Island presenter Caroline Flack was found hanged at her north-east London flat on February 15.
Caroline Flack mum says she tried to get her to open up about ‘dark feelings’ (Image: Getty Images)
She had also taken an overdose the day before she died, when she learned the CPS was pursuing charges that she allegedly attacked her 27-year-old boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
Now, Christine has opened up to ITV Anglia about her daughter’s struggles, in an effort to encourage others to speak out about their mental health if they are struggling.
Speaking to ITV, she said: “We tried to talk to her, and say you’ve got this fabulous career and you’ve got a nice home.
Christine says Caroline was always “frightened” the public would find out she was “vulnerable” (Image: Instagram)
“But actually, that doesn’t matter, because that isn’t how they feel. I think when someone is in that place, what we say isn’t being heard.
“She was always frightened that the public would find out that she was vulnerable and she had these dark feelings.”
Christine added: “I used to sit with Caroline and watch television, the same as everybody else, and I would say, ‘Oh, I don’t like them’.
“And she’d say: ‘Mum, you don’t even know them.’ It made me stop and think, no I don’t.
“We judge people and we don’t know them. We don’t know what they’re going through.”
Christine’s words have caused a surge in support for the mental health awareness drive – with £1600 being raised for the charity Young Minds since she spoke out.
* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
