Content warning: This article will discuss suicidal ideation.
A few viewers are currently feeling some type of way about Ariana Madix and that’s fine. The Vanderpump Rules star has largely moved on from the scandal that rocked her life, but Season 11 shows the initial fallout after the drama.
We’re also seeing Tom Sandoval, apparently suffering the consequences of choices he made in his personal life. It happens, but it’s happening to Tom while being filmed.
On a recent episode, Tom shared his mental health struggles as a result of how he was treated after Scandoval. It was particularly upsetting to Lisa Vanderpump and at the time, worried fellow cast mates. According to Kristen Doute, Scheana Shay wasn’t the only one who reached out to Tom. She discussed it on her podcast, Sex, Love, and What Else Matters.
Tom’s struggles
The National Institute of Health defines suicidal ideations as “often called suicidal thoughts or ideas, is a broad term used to describe a range of contemplations, wishes, and preoccupations with death and suicide.”
These thoughts are relatively common after a traumatic event. Also, they don’t necessarily mean someone would carry out a harmful event. Obviously, Tom was dealing with some stuff after pretty much everyone in the United States had something to say about his bed-hopping.
He told LVP, “If I f–king say I am sorry and I cry then it is [called] crocodile tears. I battled with suicide [thoughts]. I was hanging on by a thread. The walls start closing and you can’t see past the hurt and the pain. You can’t dream about better days. I was getting to the point where I was like, ‘What is the f–king point?”
After Tom spoke freely about what he was experiencing, many people tried to get in touch with him. “Of course when Tom brings up something that is very detrimental regarding suicidal thoughts — that is terrifying. I don’t want to hear that from anyone. And I remember hearing about this back in the Scandoval time in the spring of last year,” Kristen said.
“We heard some scary things”
“Not only did Scheana reach out to him as she said she did — heartfelt, 100 percent — I too reached out to him. Ariana reached out to him,” Kristen added. “A lot of us texted Ariana and said, ‘You realize we need to reach out to him, we’ve heard some rumors.’ This wasn’t a secret. We heard some scary things that he was thinking about. He’s also not the only one,” she explained.
Scandoval was a rough road for all participants. Additionally, Rachel Leviss checked herself into a mental health facility after being torn apart at the Season 10 reunion.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Vanderpump Rules Season 11 continues Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ARIANA REACHING OUT TO TOM?
