James Longman, the dashing ABC correspondent known for his on-the-ground reporting, has opened up about a deeply personal chapter in his life.
In a recent appearance on Good Morning America, the British-born journalist revealed how he lost both his father and grandfather to suicide and spoke about the profound impact it had on his life.
But through all the darkness, James credits his husband, Alex Brannan, with keeping him afloat when he struggled with his own mental health.
James lost his father, John, when he was only nine years old.
John, who suffered from schizophrenia, tragically ended his life by setting his apartment on fire and jumping from a window.
James learned of his father’s passing while attending boarding school in England, where he was left with no explanation about what had happened.
This wasn’t the first suicide the Longman family endured. James’ grandfather, Jimmy, had also taken his own life years before.
“When someone dies by suicide, it’s like a bomb going off,” James said. “It kills the person, but it injures everyone else.”
In the years that followed, James embarked on a journey to understand his father’s illness and his family history.
He discovered that his father had undergone electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and had been in and out of psychiatric care throughout his life.
A particularly emotional moment came when James learned from his father’s carer that John once asked to be driven near his son’s school.
“I feel so warm thinking about it,” James said, recalling how his father simply wanted to be close to him that day.
It was discoveries like this that helped James piece together a fuller picture of his father’s life beyond his illness.
Despite uncovering painful truths, James found strength in his husband, Alex Brannan.
“Alex has really just been my savior,” James shared.
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“He’s the most beautiful human being, and if you find someone in your life who can get you through, that’s what you need.”
James has credited Alex with saving his life when his own struggles with suicidal thoughts resurfaced in 2022.
He described his depression as a “deep sense of doom” and said, “It’s not that I get upset, it’s that I cannot find joy.”
Throughout it all, Alex remained by his side, offering the love and support James needed to keep going.
Their love story is one of hope, resilience, and the power of community.
James firmly believes that community is crucial for those struggling with mental health.
“Community is so powerful,” he said. “When people have these illnesses, they often get cut off.”
Ultimately, James hopes to use his story to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
He’s working on a book that’s part memoir, part research, aimed at helping others who might be struggling.
“The point of the book is to give people hope,” James said. “There’s so much shame associated with these issues, and the idea is to punch through that shame and tell people there is a path forward.”
With Alex by his side and a mission to help others, James Longman is turning his family’s tragic past into a future filled with hope.
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