‘I was broken’: Today Extra host David Campbell opens up about the heartbreaking moment he learned that his best friend took his own life
Today Extra host David Campbell has opened up about the heartbreaking moment he learnt his best friend took his own life, just over a year ago.
The 46-year-old wrote a column in this week’s Stellar magazine, speaking about the tragedy.
‘I lost my best friend just over a year ago now. He died by suicide. It was an earth-shattering moment for his wife, son and family,’ he wrote.
‘I was broken’: On Saturday, Today Extra host David Campbell (pictured) opened up about the heartbreaking moment he found out his best friend took his own life
‘As for his circle of friends, we were blindsided. Numbed. Broken. This bright light, a man who taught me how to be a better mate… was gone,’ he continued.
David went on to say the following months were difficult as he constantly wondered if he could of done anything more to prevent losing his best friend.
He said that his friends and work colleagues had reached out to him but he still felt a ‘distinct loneliness’.
Candid: The 46-year-old revealed that he lost best friend just over a year ago and ‘his circle of friends, we were blindsided. Numbed. Broken’
‘You see, us guys tend to get to a certain age and we don’t talk about things or if we do we tell a few people,’ he wrote.
David continued to say that he has since reconnected with an old friend from New York City after his received a messaged from him.
The pair started talking regularly and the Today Extra host learnt that his friend was going through a difficult time and was about to lost his job.
‘I felt distinct loneliness’: David said the following months were very difficult as he constantly wondered if he could of done anything. Pictured with his wife Lisa
David said he then signed up to a video messenger app so his friend could ‘talk and I listened’.
‘Two (nearly) middle-aged men, on an app designed for kids, had found a lifeline. We opened vaults and shared everything. I got my old best friend back,’ he wrote.
David explained that it’s important to talk to friends because it can make a difference and emotionally benefit both people.
‘Two middle-aged men had found a lifeline’: David (pictured with his wife) continued to say that he has since reconnected with another old friend from New York City
David has long felt strongly about encouraging men to discuss their mental health more openly.
He told Nine Honey recently: ‘I just don’t think guys talk enough, I don’t think guys talk to each other enough.
‘I don’t think guys are open enough, I think that we have to have more discussions about how we feel about things.’
If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
He told Nine Honey recently: ‘I just don’t think guys talk enough, I don’t think guys talk to each other enough.’ Pictured with his son