Jon Gosselin's Ex Hits Back At Kate's 'Deeply Concerning' Remarks About Son Collin's Mental Illness
Colleen Conrad stands firmly in support of her ex Jon Gosselin's son, Collin, openly challenging the various claims his estranged mom, Kate, made about his alleged mental illnesses.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleColleen Conrad is standing by her promise to defend her non-biological 'son,' Collin Gosselin. The psychiatric nurse practitioner, who watched Collin grow up in the years that she lived with her ex, Jon Gosselin, has become the former reality star's "real mom" when his own mother, Kate Gosselin, allegedly abandoned him.
After Collin's memoir release, Conrad has refuted Kate's "deeply concerning statements" about his alleged illnesses that led him to a behavioral facility.
Colleen Conrad challenges Kate Gosselin's claims about Collin
In a new statement shared on her Instagram handle on Monday, October 26, 2026, Colleen Conrad addressed the long-running controversy about Kate Gosselin's explanations regarding Collin's institutionalization at age 12. After the release of In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, Kate has made several comments about Collin's alleged behavioral issues in response to questions from social media users. Responding to them and her previous remarks, Conrad wrote:
"I've recently become aware of several deeply concerning statements Kate has made about Collin, and I believe it is important to address them thoughtfully and factually."
She highlighted her professional background, noting that she has worked in healthcare for more than 35 years as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Conrad said her experience has given her extensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms, and medications. She then described what she observed when Collin came to live with her and Jon.
Colleen stated, "My professional background has given me extensive experience with psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms, and medications, and this is an area I take very seriously. When Collin came to live with us, I did not observe the symptoms or behaviors I would have expected based on some of the diagnoses he had received, nor did I observe the behaviors that have since been publicly described."
Conrad added that Collin's medications were gradually discontinued in consultation with his treating physician and under medical supervision. She also emphasized that mental health conditions should be treated with compassion and understanding. She explained:
"Mental health conditions are real, complex, and deserving of compassion and understanding. However, they should never be used to dismiss another person's lived experience or deflect legitimate questions about the past. I believe these issues deserve to be addressed with honesty, responsibility, and respect for the people involved."
Collin, 22, appeared to show his support for Conrad's statement by liking her Instagram post. The two have maintained a close relationship, and he has previously described her as the mother figure who stepped into his life during a difficult period.
Colleen Conrad dated Jon Gosselin from 2014 to 2021 and helped care for Collin after he moved in with his father. Following the release of Collin's memoir, she also shared an emotional tribute celebrating his achievement and reaffirming her love for him.
In her message, Conrad explained that Collin had already endured more than any child should have to experience when they first became part of each other's lives. Even though she and Jon are no longer together, she promised Collin, "No matter how old you get or where life takes you, I will always be your mom. I will always love you and cheer you on."
Kate Gosselin responds to son's allegations in his memoir
Collin's memoir, released on October 13, 2026, has already become a bestseller, with readers vouching for him and calling Kate out for her alleged behavior. Kate's former housekeeper has also spoken up since, saying the Jon & Kate Plus 8 star "110 percent abused Collin" and treated him worse than the rest of the kids in the house.
Among the book's most serious allegations are claims that Kate mistreated him and isolated him from his siblings. Collin also describes being sent to a behavioral health institution in 2016, when he was a preteen, after his parents' divorce when Kate got full custody of all eight kids.
While Collin alleges his experiences in the family home and the residential facilities were traumatic, Kate has disputed his account and defended the decision to seek treatment for him. In comments posted on TikTok, Kate said Collin's behavior at the time had led to his placement in a psychiatric facility for his safety and the safety of those around him.
Kate has also challenged Collin's account of how often she visited him during his stay. She said she visited whenever the facility considered him stable enough for a visit, adding that some planned visits were canceled because of concerns about his condition.
What's your take on the resurfaced family estrangement between Collin Gosselin's and his mother?
Image courtesy: Instagram
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