Cathy Skinner, a prominent cast member of Below Deck Mediterranean, has shared her grief following her stepfather’s recent death by suicide, an event that was notably omitted from the show. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Cathy expressed her disappointment regarding the lack of acknowledgment of this significant personal loss on the hit Bravo series.
Cathy revealed that she learned of her stepfather’s death while filming season 10, receiving the news from her mother. She had decided to compartmentalize her feelings during the filming process, stating, “I am not going to deal with this until the show comes out because I’m going to relive it.” Her approach allowed her to grieve privately while still participating in the production, but she now feels it is time to seek healing.
Dealing with Grief on Screen
The emotional fallout from her stepfather’s passing was depicted in a December episode, yet Cathy noted that the specific cause of death was not addressed, leaving her surprised. “I thought it was going to be a lot more explained,” she said. “I’m a little bit disappointed that it felt like it was [hidden] away.”
Despite her mixed feelings about the show’s portrayal of her loss, Cathy expressed gratitude for the support she received from the production team. “I was so supported by the production and the camera crew and everyone,” she remarked. “It’s a very delicate subject… I do truly believe that they were trying to be cautious of me and respect my family.”
Cathy also acknowledged the unique challenges of navigating grief while in the public eye. She reflected on the confusion and turmoil that followed her stepfather’s death, stating, “Especially with no notes and so much confusion surrounding it. We can both take from it that if this helps one person, I’m happy.”
A Message of Hope and Healing
The impact of her stepfather’s suicide has deeply resonated with Cathy, who described the experience as “absolutely unimaginable.” The loss was compounded by the passing of a close friend just months earlier, creating a heavy emotional burden. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help and healing, sharing her insights on mental health. “A bad week isn’t a bad month. A bad month is not a bad year, and a bad year is still not a bad life,” she stated.
Cathy’s determination to speak openly about her grief stems from her desire to destigmatize discussions surrounding mental health and suicide. “If I can use my platform now in speaking to people on social media to know that I’m not ashamed about it, let’s talk about it,” she said.
As she moves forward, Cathy plans to engage in therapy and focus on her personal well-being, understanding that healing is a gradual process. “You can’t grieve, in one year, a person’s life,” she noted.
Cathy Skinner’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of grief and the importance of support in the wake of loss. For anyone struggling with emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, help is available through resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Below Deck Mediterranean airs on Bravo Mondays at 20:00 ET, with new episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
