"Many Photos" - 'He was exhausted by depression': Mike Thalassitis' family deny claims he's struggling financially

The family of tragic late Love Island star Mike Thalassitis have launched a Just Giving page to raise money for mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably. 

Shortly after his funeral, which was held in north London on Friday, his aunt Francesca Goldsmid launched the page alongside a lengthy statement which quashed claims the star, who passed away age 26, had been struggling financially.

While many reports have circulated regarding the reasons behind the tragedy, a prevalent claim has been that Mike was battling money woes, after his friend Montana Brown announced he had 'a massive tax bill'.

Pain: The family of tragic late Love Island star Mike Thalassitis have launched a Just Giving page to raise money for mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably

On Friday, friends, family and fellow reality TV stars descended upon Christ Church in Southgate to honour the tragic star who was found dead in a woodland near his Edmonton home last month.

After a late entrance to Love Island's second season in 2017, Mike was at the heart of the drama before departing and being propelled into the spotlight - after which Montana claimed he was struggling with the trappings of fame. 

Speaking on This Morning shortly after his death, she said: 'He didn't really know what to do for work and he wanted to be his own boss and he didn't know how to do that and I know he had a massive tax bill to be paid...

'I think the stress really got to him, and he kind of thought this fame wasn't what it was cracked up to be, where do I go now?... I don't know if it was a spur of the moment reason. I don't know if he had these demons he had to deal with.'

In memory: Shortly after his funeral, which was held in north London on Friday, his aunt Francesca Goldsmid launched the page alongside a lengthy statement which quashed claims the star, who passed away age 26, had been struggling financially

Heartache: After a late entrance to Love Island's second season in 2017, Mike was at the heart of the drama before departing and being propelled into the spotlight - after which Montana claimed he was struggling with the trappings of fame 

His family: In a bid to raise awareness of the inner struggle, Francesca detailed on behalf of the family how outwardly healthy Mike seemed, both in his looks - which she explained earned him the name Greek God - and his personal life

Despite her original announcement, his family have now quashed suggestions of financial woes as they insisted he could afford luxuries and pushed the fact he was preparing to open his Essex restaurant The Skillet. 

In a bid to raise awareness of the inner struggle, Francesca detailed on behalf of the family how outwardly healthy Mike seemed, both in his looks - which she explained earned him the name Greek God - and his personal life. 

She wrote: 'Mike was loved by so many and had such a promising future ahead of him. He had a close and supportive network of friends and family, a much loved public profile, a strong pipeline of promising new business ventures and financial stability enabling him more luxuries than most.' 

She detailed however that this did not prevent his inner battle, writing:' Yet despite all this, and most importantly, deep down beneath the surface he was suffering from poor mental health - a dark depression that he kept very well hidden from even his closest friends and family... 

Helping others: While many reports have circulated regarding the reasons behind the tragedy, a prevalent claim has been that Mike was battling money woes, after his friend Montana Brown announced he had 'a massive tax bill'

The big reveal: Speaking on This Morning shortly after his death, she said: 'He didn't really know what to do for work and he wanted to be his own boss and he didn't know how to do that and I know he had a massive tax bill to be paid'

'So on the 16th March, overwhelmed and exhausted by his private battle with depression, he made the tragic decision to give up the fight by ending his own life.' 

It was later revealed that Mike was struggling to come to terms with the loss of his grandmother, who had passed away days earlier.

Dozens of mourners gathered outside Christ Church on Friday afternoon. Among those making their way into the church today include Mike's fellow Love Islanders Zara McDermott, Ellie Brown and Samira Mighty. 

Montana delivered the eulogy at the ceremony, where she urged fellow reality stars to 'be kinder and more genuine' following his battle.

She stood up to give a speech about the former footballer, saying: 'I'm looking at everyone right here and asking you to change yourself...

Pained: On Friday, friends, family and fellow reality TV stars descended upon Christ Church in Southgate to honour the tragic star who was found dead in a woodland near his Edmonton home last month

Mike's family's message in full 

On 16th March 2019, at the young age of 26, Mike Thalassitis sadly took his own life.

Mike was loved by so many and had such a promising future ahead of him. He had a close and supportive network of friends and family, a much loved public profile, a strong pipeline of promising new business ventures and financial stability enabling him more luxuries than most. 

Most crucially, he looked impeccably healthy from the outside (some even called him a 'Greek God'), and when surrounded by friends and family he was full of banter and sarcasm and always had a cheeky grin plastered across his face.

Yet despite all this, and most importantly, deep down beneath the surface he was suffering from poor mental health - a dark depression that he kept very well hidden from even his closest friends and family. So on the 16th March, overwhelmed and exhausted by his private battle with depression, he made the tragic decision to give up the fight by ending his own life.

Unfortunately, Mike's situation is not unique. In the UK, suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45- resulting in 12 men taking their own lives every single day! These statistics are tragic, incredibly scary and heartbreaking- but most importantly they are unacceptable and need to change! 

Mike's decision has turned our world upside down, it is impossible for us to understand or accept a life without Mike and there are no words to even begin to describe the grief, stress, sadness, shock and disbelief that we are all drowning in right now. 

That's why we have decided to create a legacy for Mike by doing everything we can to change this heartbreaking epidemic so no family has to ever suffer like we have. But most importantly, we want to make sure that all men know where to get support and no man ever feels that suicide is his only option.

As a result, we have chosen to work closely with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably- the leading charity combating male suicide www.thecalmzone.net) to build awareness of depression in young men, break the stigma and develop practical resources to support those suffering and already in crisis. As such, we would be so incredibly grateful for any donations towards our cause. All donations received will go towards CALM and our joint ambition to bring an end to male suicide amongst young men in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Mike's Family

xx

Please note: This is the ONLY official fundraising page set up for Mike Thalassitis. For those that previously donated to the page set up by Mike's kind friend Simon Legg, please rest assured that the funds from Simon's page are being transferred to this family-run account in support of our work with CALM. We thank you so much for your kind generosity and support, it is truly appreciated.

 

'Change how you live your life, change how you love your loved ones, and also change how you treat strangers...

'I can see a lot of reality faced in the room, please do not let this pass you by. It's so hard, the rejection, the competitiveness, the need to constantly look ok on social media.

'So let's learn from this. We're all in the same boat. We all go through the same stresses. Let's just be kinder, be nicer, more genuine, let's check in on each other, life's too short.'

The fundraiser is the second launched in Mike's honour, after his best friend Simon Legg kicked off a page which garnered thousands before being shut down - however all funds are being added to the Thalassitis' new fund.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org for details. 

Open and honest: Montana delivered the eulogy at the ceremony, where she urged fellow reality stars to 'be kinder and more genuine' following his battle'

 

 

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