Actor Douglas Booth has spoken publicly about the tragic loss of his father, Simon Booth, who died by suicide earlier this year.
The Pride and Prejudice and Zombies star used social media, on what would have been his father’s 64th birthday, to share the heartbreaking news and to advocate for men’s mental health.
Douglas Booth admitted he has greatly struggled to process this complex grief since his father's passing on May 4.
Booth explained that his father was a kind and generous man who is deeply missed by his family.
He acknowledged that the loss leaves questions unanswered, which he is slowly learning to accept.
The actor, who has also dealt with personal struggles like anxiety, revealed his motivation to use his pain to help others.
He plans to support and champion groups that give men safe places to connect, talk about their feelings, and find understanding.
Booth stated that loneliness is a quiet epidemic, affecting many men who feel isolated or unsure where to turn for help.
He emphasized that simply "checking in" on loved ones is not always enough, because sometimes they cannot hear you even when you try.
Douglas Booth also suggested that his father may have struggled with undiagnosed autism, which perhaps prevented him from having the necessary tools to ask for help or reinvent himself later in life.
He wrote that losing someone to suicide involves a complicated grief, and he expressed deep sympathy for anyone who has experienced this kind of loss.
He thanked his family, friends, and even strangers for supporting him through this difficult period.
Booth’s open and brave discussion about his personal tragedy sheds an important light on the critical need for better mental health support, especially for men.
