In her book This Far, Allison Holker talks about tWitch’s death and how she got better. Find out how she is speaking out for mental health.
1. Allison Holker found tWitch's secret drugs after he died, which showed his hidden problems.
2. She discusses mental health and her recovery in her autobiography, This Far.
Who or what did Allison Holker find out after tWitch died?
In the weeks after Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s untimely death in December 2022, Allison Holker learned something very sad. While preparing for his funeral, she discovered drugs hidden in his shoe boxes.
The drugs were hidden and included pills, mushrooms and other substances. In an exclusive chat with PEOPLE, Holker said, “It was very scary to learn that there was so much going on that I had no idea about.” The find showed how much pain Boss had been hiding.
What Did tWitch’s Diary Write?
Holker looked to Boss’s Healing for solutions and found posts that talked about his problems with self-medication and childhood trauma.
He wrote about how he tried to deal with the pain of being sexually abused as a child. Holker says, “He didn’t want other people to feel his pain.”
She learned more about his inner struggles and the difference between his public image as “tWitch” and his private self as Stephen by reading his writings.
How is Allison Holker getting better?
Holker’s new book, This Far, which comes out on February 4, tells the story of her journey to get better. She talks about how dealing with Boss’s death has been a mix of sadness, understanding, and getting to know herself better.
She says, “I’ve learned that mental health problems can happen to anyone at any time.” For mental health help and understanding, Holker has worked with groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
How does their family feel about tWitch’s death?
The three children who have suffered the most from the death are Weslie, 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5. “I wish I could be your superhero,” were Boss’s last words to his family.
Weslie was the last person to see him alive. Holker has done everything she can to make her kids feel seen and heard while they deal with their sadness.
The person who works with Weslie says, “She handles it with far more grace than she should have to.”
What Does Allison Holker Want You to Know About Mental Health?
- Get help: Holker tells people who are having a hard time to ask for help.
- Stop the shame: anyone can have mental health problems, even those who seem happy.
- Empathy is crucial: Listening without judging can make a difference.
- You can heal: Holker’s story shows that even in the darkest times.
What Will Allison Holker Do Next?
Holker thinks that her autobiography, This Far, will encourage other people who are having problems to face them and get help.
“I’ve had so many people reach out to me needing to talk,” she says, emphasizing how important community and tools are.
She wants to make sure that no one feels alone in their struggles by working with mental health groups.
Allison Holker's journey after tWitch's death shows how strong people can be and how much love there is. She is giving people who are going through similar problems hope by writing a story and speaking out. We can find comfort and light even in the darkest times because of her story.