Dr. Alex George: The Real Influencer
Last month, Dr Alex George earned the role of Mental Health Ambassador to the Government. You may be thinking ‘that’s cool but isn’t he just another MP?’
No, my friend, he is most definitely not.
If you’re a millennial, or from Generation Z, you’ll probably know that Alex rose to fame as a contestant on the world-renowned show, Love Island.
His loveable, shy, and slightly awkward personality won the hearts of the nation in 2018, as he bumbled through the show, making many unsuccessful attempts to find love.
Upon his return to the UK following the finish of Love Island, Dr Alex returned to a day job that none of the other contestants shared with him… An A&E Doctor. He worked hard to keep his social media afloat, providing fans with interesting content, yet still working full time at the hospital.
From the get-go, I have loved Dr Alex. Even prior to achieving the role of Mental Health Ambassador to the Government, he acted as a role model on social media to young, impressionable teens.
The ‘wholesome’ content he posted subsequently created a safe space for youngsters. His social media posts weren’t like other influencers: he didn’t edit his photos, he didn’t advertise bogus products, and he certainly didn’t give kids a false sense of reality.
However, in July 2020, Dr Alex George lost his younger brother, Llyr, to a battle with mental health. Llyr was due to start medical school in September, following in his brother’s footsteps.
Yet, despite this earth-shattering event for Alex and his family, he made it is sole mission to help young people’s mental health, especially after the pandemic.
The year 2020 was an abysmal to the majority of society, but especially young adults. Job opportunities ripped away, lack of socialisation with peers, and quite frankly the realisation that they will be the generation to pick up the pieces left by this heinous pandemic.
Dr Alex saw this.
He used the pain he was feeling to fuel the campaign ‘Boris, Let’s Talk’. Initially starting on Instagram, Dr Alex announced that he was starting the campaign in order to speak with the Prime Minister, in the hopes of improving mental and emotional support for young people. The post was in the form of an open letter to the PM, stating that there were areas of mental health education and support that must be improved upon. He also said that:
‘Happy and well supported children are much more likely to enjoy and engage in education’.
This particularly resonated with me. There is a lot expected of teens these days.
Ambition is higher; therefore, pressure is higher.
Social media is mainstream; therefore, feelings of isolation are higher.
Covid-19 is entrapping; therefore, people are lonelier.
The initial post prompted an explosive response, with nearly 220,000 likes, in comparison to his average likes of roughly 60,000. People were clearly agreeing, and also wanted to see change.
An Instagram post shortly followed just after a week later, outlining the steps that he felt the Government should take. These were:
- Training and Support for Teachers
- Mental health being a mainstream subject in every school.
- Counselling service at every school.
Despite having an extremely positive response from people up and down the country, his posts updating the world on his campaign went silent.
… Until 3rd February 2021.
Dr. Alex announced that he was becoming the ambassador for Mental Health. In the post he said he was excited to make change happen, and that ‘mental health matters’.
And that is why I love Dr. Alex. He is selfless. Despite feeling the utmost pain, he used it to fuel his mission to potentially save young people’s lives, a chance that he never had with his brother.
He is a true influencer, and if he influences even just a few of us to be like him, I think the world will be a much better place.
I’ll leave you with a recent post of his:
‘Guys, I just want to take a moment to check in with you all, for whoever needs to hear this today’
‘Whether you are unwell with covid, away from family and friends or exhausted from working on the front line, I am thinking of you. It’s ok to feel fed up with this situation.’
‘It’s ok to be frustrated and sad.’
‘Please know that nothing lasts forever. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and together we will get there.’
‘You are never alone. Don’t lose hope.’
