Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesBachelor alum Sean Lowe is breaking his silence on Lex McAllister's apparent suicide in a lengthy, heartfelt post on his blog.
"I haven't mentioned her death, because—honestly—what is there to say? I didn't know her and I definitely didn't want to speculate on why a woman would take her own life," he began by writing.
"Some of you may remember Gia Allemand (from the same season) hanged herself in 2013. In 2010, Julien Hug, a Bachelorette contestant from the Jillian Harris season, shot himself in the head. There are moments when the glittery, perfumed, hairsprayed, romantic facade of The Bachelor is penetrated by hard truths. Three people from the Bachelor family committing suicide should cause us all to pause."
Lowe then broke his post into the following three points, in no particular order: "1. Suicide is not the answer. 2. Suicide is not unforgivable. 3. There's hope for people who are sad."
He added, "I am no expert in depression, counseling or psychology. But I do know that reality is sometimes not fun…Don't give in to the darkness, even when the screen fades to black."
After a commenter pointed out that he hadn't addressed those struggling with mental illnesses, he updated his entry to read:
"I didn't mean to neglect or ignore mental illness in my post. Mental illness is a disease which ensnares tens of thousands of people each year and takes them to places which they would have never taken themselves. My sincerest apologies for not making my points more clear."
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).