Jax Taylor has spoken out for the first time since he began seeking treatment at an in-patient center for his mental health.

On Wednesday, July 31, the Vanderpump Rules alum posted a photo on his Instagram holding his 3-year-old son Cruz – who he shares with ex Brittany Cartwright – as he reflected on his decision to seek treatment.

“Working on getting better for you buddy, I love you. ❤️ ,” he wrote in the caption, tagging his son’s Instagram account.

In the comments, fans and friends shared their support for the 45-year-old, with Cartwright’s mother writing, “Love ❤️” and Jerry O’Connell writing, “You do you, Jax! Love ya, pal!”

Kim Zolciak Biermann also shared her support for Taylor, writing in a comment, “Sending you lots of love ❤️. ”

 

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A representative for The Valley told PEOPLE that Taylor “made the decision to seek in-patient treatment” as he’s going through a “particularly sensitive time for him and his family.”

“Jax has always been candid about his mental health struggles, especially during the past few months on his podcast,” the rep said, adding that his family asks “for privacy and respect until he is ready to speak more on this matter.”

TMZ was the first to report the news.

Taylor and his estranged wife remain in the midst of a separation, which they announced in February after four years of marriage. In the initial announcement, shared on their podcast, When Reality Hits, Cartwright, 35, said she’d “had a particularly rough year this past year” and as a result, “Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health.”

At the time, Cartwright said she didn’t “know what the future holds” for them.

They continue to co-parent their son amicably, though, and in April, she told PEOPLE that she and her ex are “friendly” and described their dynamic as if they’re staying in the “same hotel, different rooms.”

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On the season 1 finale of The Valley, the couple reflected on their separation, with Cartwright calling their time apart “amazing” while Taylor said things have “been nice” between them.

In a confessional, Taylor said, “It’s been an amazing nine years. It really, really has. I have no regrets. I love Brittany, I do. I love my life. The only thing that’s going to make or break this is time.”