Jax Taylor revealed on Thursday that an intervention by a group of his friends was what finally led him to check into a mental health facility in July– something The Valley star admits he was initially hesitant to do. 

As The Ashley previously told you, Jax spent nearly 30 days this summer receiving inpatient treatment at a mental health facility, during which he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. 

On Thursday’s episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax spoke with host Alex Baskin (who is also an executive producer on ‘The Valley’ and ‘Vanderpump Rules’) about the event that finally convinced him to seek professional help, despite already knowing that he “really, really needed to go.”  

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“I was coming home from the gym, and my buddies were there and just saying, ‘Listen, it’s time for you to go,’” Jax recalled. “It was a lot of people, and– not to break the fourth wall or anything– but my manager saw me kind of going a little bit off the rails, and they said, ‘Maybe this is a good move for you.’ So, I honestly have to thank them because I was bad. It was really, really bad.”

The former Vanderpump Rules star was separated from wife Brittany Cartwright at the time that he entered the facility, though the couple– who share 3-year-old son Cruz– are now in the process of divorcing. 

“I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t go to this institution,” he added. 

According to Jax, the intervention took place two days after he learned that Brittany had hooked up with his friend Julian Sensley– something Brittany opened up about on the previous episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast. Jax recalled finding out that Brittany had also sent photos of herself and photos of Cruz to Julian, which caused him to “see red” and even break some furniture inside his and Brittany’s Valley Village home. 

Jax said checking into the facility was scary and “probably the hardest thing of my life,” though after a few days, he was able to “really get comfortable.” 

“ … By the end of the second week, I really, really liked it,” he added. “I loved being there.” 

Alex mentioned on the podcast that this isn’t the first time Jax has claimed that he’s changed, only to go on and prove otherwise. Alex also noted that Brittany has revealed herself to be among the skeptics; however, Jax insisted this time is different. 

“That’s [Brittany’s] opinion,” Jax said. “[But] I’ve never been on medication in my entire life until I went through the facility, so I think this is playing a huge role. I was very stubborn [in the past] … this is the first time I’ve gotten help. 

“ … Ever since I’ve been on this medication, it’s been amazing,” Jax stated earlier in the podcast episode. “I’ve had no outbursts; I haven’t been angry. It’s a game-changer.” 

As for Brittany doubting that he has actually changed, Jax claims his estranged wife is simply speaking out of emotion. 

“She’s upset, she’s going to hit below the belt,” he said. “She’s gonna say things [like] I’m not gonna change, she’s gonna say this and that because she’s hurt and she has every right to be, you know? 

“As you’ll see in [Season 2] of ‘The Valley’ … I was in a really dark, dark place,” Jax continued. “I did some really awful things and what I mean by awful things is I was verbally abusive … .” 

Jax said that, leading up to him checking into the mental health facility, he would often get angry and take out that anger on Brittany because she was “in the line of fire.” Jax acknowledged that his behavior was “so wrong,” though he also said he hoped that Brittany would at least consider him a good father to their son and that she would have hope that he could change as a person “down the road.” 

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Later in the podcast, Jax said he believes Brittany actually has noticed a change in his behavior as of late, but that she doesn’t “want to admit it.” 

Following the release of Jax’s interview on Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Brittany took to her Instagram Story, presumably in response to her soon-to-be ex-husband’s comments. 

“Oooooo I can’t wait to record my podcast this week 🤥🤥🤥🙄,” she wrote.

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