Jett Kenny takes a stand for women’s mental health in honour of his late sister Jaimi
Jett Kenny reveals how he copes with the grief of losing his sister Jaimi and how he keeps her memory alive: ‘Some days are harder than others’
Jett Kenny has spoken candidly about his grief following the death of his big sister Jaimi three years ago.
The 29-year-old’s world came crashing down in September 2020, when Jaimi passed away at the age of 33 after battling alcoholism and an eating disorder.
While Jett’s Olympian mom Lisa Curry regularly discusses her mental health on social media, Jett usually keeps his struggles more private.
“How I would deal with the grief is different from how Mom handles it. Of course, that’s not something you’d ever want to experience as a parent,” the SAS Australia star said The Daily Telegraph.
Jett, whose Ironman father is Grant Kenny, said he deals with grief by rationalizing his tragic loss as “a part of life” and reminding himself that “these things happen.”
Jett Kenny has spoken candidly about his grief following the death of his big sister Jaimi three years ago. (Pictured with Jaimi)
“Of course we have times when some days are harder than others, especially around birthdays, Easter and Christmas,” he added.
Jett also revealed that he honors Jaimi’s memory every day by keeping pictures of her in his bedroom.
It comes after Jett teamed up with nonprofit organization Liptember to show his support for women’s mental health issues.
While Jett’s Olympian mom Lisa Curry (left, with Jaimi) regularly discusses her mental health on social media, Jett usually keeps his struggles more private
“How I would deal with the grief is different from how Mom handles it. As a parent, you obviously don’t want to experience that,” the SAS Australia star told The Daily Telegraph.
The Ironman is the new ambassador for the Lip-Stick-It campaign, urging men to wear lipstick on May 11 to show their support for the women in their lives.
The Kenny-Curry family announced Jaimi’s death on social media on September 15, 2020, one day after her passing.
“Our beautiful daughter Jaimi lost her battle with a long illness and passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday morning with her loving family by her side,” Jaimi’s mother, Lisa Curry, wrote at the time.
Jett, whose Ironman father is Grant Kenny, said he deals with grief by rationalizing his tragic loss as “something that’s part of life” and reminding himself that “these things happen”
In 2021, Jett said HIT Queensland’s breakfast with Cliffo & Gabi Jaimi struggled with her mental health, even when she seemed happy.
“It’s behind closed doors [people struggle], it’s not really a public conversation. It was the same for our family,’ he said.
“When Jaimi was out in public, it was all sunshine and rainbows, but with that comes the dark clouds and the storms. It’s hard because you don’t really understand,” he added.
“You can do anything for that person, but at the end of the day it comes down to that person wanting to help themselves. It’s an unfortunate situation.’
For free and confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Butterfly Foundation for eating disorder issues at 1800 ED HOPE
Jett is the new ambassador for the Lip-Stick-It campaign, urging men to wear lipstick on May 11 to show their support for the women in their lives