Will Young says caring for late twin brother ‘became too much’ and was ‘affecting his wellbeing’
Will Young and his late brother Rupert. (Getty)
Will Young has opened up about the impact of caring for his late twin brother Rupert, who passed away in August.
The singer’s brother tragically died aged 41 after falling from a bridge. He had a history of addiction issues and had attempted suicide on a number of occasions in the past.
Young told a London inquest that he became a “carer” to Rupert in the final months of his life – but that the situation became unmanageable as time went on.
“I was a carer for him but it became too much,” Young told the inquest, according to The Times.
“He could not look after himself and I did not believe he could look after his own life.”
Young continued: “I feel it is difficult for me. I am someone who is pretty in control over my emotional wellbeing. I am a functional adult. I have done a lot of work on myself.
“Rupert struggled with depression and anxiety and for 20 years we knew over that time more times than I can tell you of suicide attempts or suicidal ideation,” the singer said, according to the Daily Mirror.
Will Young said twin brother Rupert’s wellbeing was affected by the pandemic.
Will Young said the situation with his brother became untenable in the final months of his life.
“It had gone beyond my means and it was affecting my wellbeing,” he said.
“I stayed around the corner and rang up the police to report him as a trespasser.”
All the other things I just think was a big trigger.
Rupert’s addiction issues had become so severe that he had developed “an inability to even make it to the loo”, Young told the inquest.
Young also said the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the death of his dog Lola, triggered Rupert’s final mental health crisis.
“All the other things I just think was a big trigger, he couldn’t seem to get back on track from the drinking.”
The inquest heard that Rupert discharged himself from St Thomas’ Hospital in London on 24 July before a mental health assessment was carried out.
Just days later, he was found walking along the edge of a bridge by paramedics, who said he was “intoxicated”.
He was seen by mental health liaison nurse Katie Lowe on 29 July, and he told her that he no longer planned to end his own life.
Lowe told the inquest she was “sure it was going to be accidental” when she heard he had fallen from a bridge.
“I don’t believe based on my assessment that it would have been an intentional suicide,” she said.
The inquest will continue in January.
Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
