Sister Wives star, Janelle Brown speaks out about Garrison Brown before the release of Season 19. Undeniably, it is a heartwrenching experience that Kody and Janelle are facing after the tragic passing of their son.
But, she talks about the devasting lesson she learned from losing her son, Garrison.
Janelle Brown Speaks Out About Garrison’s Death
Without a doubt, the world froze on March 5, 2024, for the Browns when they learned that Garrison Brown had taken his life. While the news was earth-shattering, each of the Browns is navigating their world without him.
But ahead of the release of Sister Wives Season 19, and just six months after the loss, Janelle Brown has decided to speak on mental health in hopes that others can use the knowledge she has now in hindsight.
Janelle Brown Was Blindsided
Sadly, Sister Wives star, Janelle Brown says they were blindsided by Garrison Brown’s suicide. She says, “We just had no idea that he was in that place.” While she know that “substance abuse” can play tricks on users, she accepts that had a hand in the matter.
However, she didn’t see it coming. She reflects, “But he didn’t ever express any kind of extreme sad feelings.” Likewise, much like Robin Williams, she describes his last days,
“In fact, he was very funny, very upbeat.” Furthermore, she witnessed so many things going right in his life. She adds, “He had a career path that he was excited about. He had a life, he had friends.” Admittedly, Janelle and the family were in shock. She “never had any idea that it would go this way.”
Warning Signs
By all counts, Janelle Brown says they didn’t witness any traditional warning signs. Notably, he was frequently talking and interacting with family. He excitedly adopted a new cat and was eager to take on new career goals. As Janelle continues to sort through the death, she acknowledges, “We actually were having conversations.
He had all the resources that he could have needed.” Then, she shares, “This was just such a shock. We just never expected this.”
Additionally, she describes her feelings before his death, “I really actually had sort of thought like, ‘Okay, maybe he’s finally starting to get his momentum.’”
Sympathizing with how difficult life can be, she adds, “It’s hard in your twenties to find your path. And I was really excited, so it was such a shock… because there was just no indication at all.”
Janelle Brown Reveals Devastating Lesson From Losing Garrison
Since the new season of Sister Wives will come to screens next week, Janelle Brown wants to confront the idea that mental health can be a silent struggle.
She confesses that “a lot of young men his age” have mental health problems that get overlooked. Undeniably, wanting to help others avoid a tragic situation like Garrison Brown’s suicide, Janelle voices how more awareness and action should be directed at mental health.
She says, “We should be speaking more, especially about mental health for men, and that there’s no shame in getting help and seeking help.” Reiterating the devasting lesson she learned, “We just had no idea. This was such a shock to us.”
However, not only did Janelle Brown learn how hidden issues can slide by, but she is making changes in her family. As a result, the Browns have new behaviors they are exercising since the passing of Garrison Brown. Vulnerably, she shares, “We’re very real and we assess.”
Further explaining, “Life situations come up and we’re always like, ‘Okay, so what about mental health?’ We actually say the words and we wait to hear what’s really happening, not just kind of gloss over it.
I think we’re definitely putting more stock in mental health in our family.”
Janelle Brown Battles Demons Of Her Own
Although as a mom, Janelle Brown has faced the question of whether she could have done differently, she accepts that she did the best she could for Garrison. She says, “I don’t know what we could have done different[ly].”
Reflecting, she adds, “We were definitely — and I would encourage everybody to be that way — we were having real conversations with him.
We were offering resources, we were always talking to him, we were loving him. All the things were there. It really just was something he could not… like the demon he couldn’t get on top of the battle. He couldn’t seem to get over.”
She Focuses On Love
While Janelle Brown is beside herself thinking about the “what ifs” she is confident she showed him love throughout his life. She says, “It just wasn’t for lack of love or lack of anything.
And all I can do is think… we always ask ourselves could we have done something more, but I don’t know.” Janelle knows she must continue to live her life.
She says, “I think that’s a grief trap because I think, ultimately, everybody is responsible for their own actions and their own decisions. But we did everything. We really did everything that we could have done.
And unfortunately, sometimes [that] still isn’t enough.” However, Janelle is getting up each day and trying to love deeply and seize the moments she has with her remaining family.
Sadly, she doesn’t know how she could have saved Garrison, but she will continually pour into her loved ones.
Sister Wives Season 19 returns Sunday, September 15 at 10/9c on TLC. Then, it will stream later on Max.
Ask for help if you are battling a silent war and further, extend kindness and care for those around who may be in their own fight. Do you have similar devastating lessons you have learned like Janelle Brown is embracing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visiting 988lifeline.org.
