Bradley Riches Reveals Past Suicide Attempt in Suicide Prevention Month Message
Photo Credit: Netflix
by Chris Tremblay 2 hours ago
3 MIN READ
Bradley Riches has disclosed that he tried to end his life in 2020, sharing the revelation in a social-media post published as September’s Suicide Prevention Month began.
The 24-year-old actor, known for playing James McEwan in Netflix’s Heartstopper and Lewis Copland in ITV’s Emmerdale, said he had been nervous about speaking publicly about his experience.
“I always get nervous talking about my experience and my life, but I want to share this,” Riches wrote, according to reports on the post.
He added: “And hopefully don’t get scared and delete it.”
Riches then stated directly: “In 2020, I tried to end my life.”
“At the time, I couldn’t see a life beyond that moment,” he wrote, adding that he did not know who he was or whether circumstances could feel different.
The disclosure was presented as a reflection on the six years since that crisis, rather than as a report of a current suicide attempt.
In the post, Riches described the changes in his life since 2020 and listed achievements including writing a bestselling book about autism, receiving awards and marrying his partner earlier in 2026.
He ended the message with a series of affirmations directed at people who may be struggling: “You are loved. You are important. Your story is not finished.”
Riches also wrote that he was “so, so glad” he stayed, and encouraged anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts to tell someone rather than carrying the burden alone.
The actor’s post appeared during a month in which public bodies and organizations place additional emphasis on suicide prevention, awareness and access to support.
The governor of Michigan also formally designated September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month, describing suicide as preventable and calling attention to hope and the treatability of mental illness.
Riches’ wording placed particular emphasis on the difference between a campaign month and the reality of ongoing support.
“September is Suicide Prevention Month,” he wrote, “but trying to stay is a whole year thing.”
Riches became widely known through Heartstopper, the Netflix series centered on the lives and relationships of teenagers Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. He played James McEwan, a student at Truham Grammar School, in the series.Riches later joined the cast of Emmerdale, where he plays Lewis Copland. His work has also included public discussion of autism and his experiences as an autistic performer.
In a 2024 interview with the BBC, Riches discussed how autism affected his experience as a contestant on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother.
The BBC reported that Riches had been non-verbal until around the age of 10.
In 2026, he published Autistically Me: How to Understand and Celebrate Our Autistic Minds, a book described as seeking to elevate neurodivergent voices.
Riches has also spoken publicly about growing up non-verbal and masking both his autism and sexuality during secondary school.
Those earlier comments provide context for his decision to discuss difficult personal experiences publicly, although his September post did not attribute his 2020 suicide attempt to any single cause.
Coverage by The PinkNews, Attitude and Metro independently reported the central details of Riches’ disclosure: that he said he tried to end his life in 2020, that he described feeling unable to see a future at the time, and that he encouraged people experiencing suicidal thoughts to tell someone.
The reports did not identify a specific medical diagnosis, treatment, crisis service or other intervention connected to the 2020 incident.
They also did not report that Riches was in immediate danger at the time of publication.
For readers affected by the subject, Riches’ own message centers on disclosure, connection and seeking help from another person.
His account does not establish that sharing personal stories alone prevents suicide, but it does show why he chose to connect his disclosure with an appeal to people who may be struggling.
The actor’s statement adds a high-profile personal account to September’s wider suicide-prevention conversation while preserving the focus of the message on people currently experiencing distress.
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If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK, call 111 to reach the NHS mental health services, or call the Samaritans at 116 123.
“I always get nervous talking about my experience and my life, but I want to share this,” Riches wrote, according to reports on the post.
He added: “And hopefully don’t get scared and delete it.”
Riches then stated directly: “In 2020, I tried to end my life.”
“At the time, I couldn’t see a life beyond that moment,” he wrote, adding that he did not know who he was or whether circumstances could feel different.
The disclosure was presented as a reflection on the six years since that crisis, rather than as a report of a current suicide attempt.
A message focused on survival and support
In the post, Riches described the changes in his life since 2020 and listed achievements including writing a bestselling book about autism, receiving awards and marrying his partner earlier in 2026.
He ended the message with a series of affirmations directed at people who may be struggling: “You are loved. You are important. Your story is not finished.”
Riches also wrote that he was “so, so glad” he stayed, and encouraged anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts to tell someone rather than carrying the burden alone.
The actor’s post appeared during a month in which public bodies and organizations place additional emphasis on suicide prevention, awareness and access to support.
The governor of Michigan also formally designated September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month, describing suicide as preventable and calling attention to hope and the treatability of mental illness.
Riches’ wording placed particular emphasis on the difference between a campaign month and the reality of ongoing support.
“September is Suicide Prevention Month,” he wrote, “but trying to stay is a whole year thing.”
Riches’ public profile
Riches became widely known through Heartstopper, the Netflix series centered on the lives and relationships of teenagers Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. He played James McEwan, a student at Truham Grammar School, in the series.Riches later joined the cast of Emmerdale, where he plays Lewis Copland. His work has also included public discussion of autism and his experiences as an autistic performer.
In a 2024 interview with the BBC, Riches discussed how autism affected his experience as a contestant on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother.
The BBC reported that Riches had been non-verbal until around the age of 10.
In 2026, he published Autistically Me: How to Understand and Celebrate Our Autistic Minds, a book described as seeking to elevate neurodivergent voices.
Riches has also spoken publicly about growing up non-verbal and masking both his autism and sexuality during secondary school.
Those earlier comments provide context for his decision to discuss difficult personal experiences publicly, although his September post did not attribute his 2020 suicide attempt to any single cause.
Response to the disclosure
Coverage by The PinkNews, Attitude and Metro independently reported the central details of Riches’ disclosure: that he said he tried to end his life in 2020, that he described feeling unable to see a future at the time, and that he encouraged people experiencing suicidal thoughts to tell someone.
The reports did not identify a specific medical diagnosis, treatment, crisis service or other intervention connected to the 2020 incident.
They also did not report that Riches was in immediate danger at the time of publication.
For readers affected by the subject, Riches’ own message centers on disclosure, connection and seeking help from another person.
His account does not establish that sharing personal stories alone prevents suicide, but it does show why he chose to connect his disclosure with an appeal to people who may be struggling.
The actor’s statement adds a high-profile personal account to September’s wider suicide-prevention conversation while preserving the focus of the message on people currently experiencing distress.
- -
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK, call 111 to reach the NHS mental health services, or call the Samaritans at 116 123.
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