Weeks before a public suicide attempt, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton voluntarily admitted himself to a hospital for "severe depression," his sister Barbara Lavandeira told Page Six.

Lavandeira described her brother's fragile state prior to the Aug. 4 self-harm incident at his Miami home, following what she called "an extremely difficult year" marked by life-threatening health issues.

Approximately two weeks before the incident, Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., confided in his sister and mother. He expressed feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, and being a burden. He admitted to taking leftover painkillers from a March surgery, stating he "just wanted to sleep." Lavandeira recalled this confession as "heartbreaking."

She encouraged him to seek professional help, and he agreed. Lavandeira took him to the hospital that same day, where he underwent several days of evaluation and treatment before being discharged.

Following his release, Hilton appeared to be improving. "He looked better, too," Barbara said. "We spent time together as a family, and he started looking up coping mechanisms and grounding techniques he had learned during his short stay."

On Aug. 3, Hilton returned to his regular therapy sessions. The following day, the day of his suicide attempt, he completed an intake call for an intensive outpatient program and was scheduled to begin group therapy the subsequent week.

Later that afternoon, Lavandeira discovered her brother in his bathroom. "standing in front of the shower, naked, cut up, covered in blood, with a box cutter in his hand," she recounted. She immediately alerted her daughter and nieces to leave the house before calling 911.

Lavandeira speculated that a combination of factors may have contributed to the incident, including severe depression, lingering effects from hospitalization and sepsis, lack of sleep, and potential medication reactions.

Earlier in the year, Hilton experienced severe medical issues. In March, while living in Las Vegas, he was hospitalized for nearly a month. Doctors were initially unable to diagnose his condition, but he developed sepsis and nearly died multiple times. He underwent abdominal surgery, had fluid drained from around his lungs twice, and required physical therapy.

A follow-up appointment revealed a large blood clot in his leg, adding to the immense stress on his body and mind. During his hospitalization, he struggled with sleep and appetite, uncertain of his survival. After his release, he faced depression, anxiety, and overwhelming thoughts.

His family took these struggles seriously, and he was under the care of both a therapist and a psychiatrist. The spring ordeal was so traumatic that Hilton decided to move closer to family in Miami for a larger support system. He reconnected with his faith and felt a move to his hometown would offer a fresh start.

In June, Hilton, his mother, and his three children relocated to Miami. However, the move introduced new stressors. Hilton began having doubts, worrying the move was a mistake, a financial drain, and an impulsive decision.

While being closer to family provided some support, he continued to struggle. His sister and mother convinced him to speak with a therapist, which he eventually agreed to, attending sessions a couple of times a week. A psychiatrist later prescribed him a low dose of an antidepressant.

During his month and a half in Miami before the Aug. 4 incident, Hilton experienced a mix of good and bad days, with many happy moments, according to his sister. He took his children to museums, restaurants, the zoo, and the beach, and spent time with family.

"Things seemed to be looking better. He was still seeing his therapist, and his antidepressant dose was going to be increased. He still wasn’t feeling great, but it seemed like he was trying to make the most of it," Barbara said.

She emphasized that while she is not a medical professional and cannot pinpoint the exact cause, "My brother was not well that day. He needed help, and he still needs help."

If you or someone you know needs help in the US, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.