Jennifer Garner heading 'mercy squad' to check on Ben Affleck's wellbeing amid divorce from Jennifer Lopez

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jennifer Garner is leading a 'mercy squad' to ensure Ben Affleck, 52, keeps upbeat amid his divorce proceedings with estranged wife Jennifer Lopez, 55. 

Owing to the strenuous divorce, Affleck’s loved ones -- including his other ex Garner -- have been left worried about the ‘Argo’ actor’s mental health. 

According to a source, who recently shared with In Touch, that the Oscar-winning actor’s close ones have formed a sort of “mercy squad” to continuously check on him, and leading the pack of well-wishers is the mother of his three children, Jennifer Garner.

Jennifer Garner is leading ‘mercy squad’ to check on Ben Affleck

After months of speculation, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck on August 20, coincidentally on the second anniversary of their traditional wedding. The ‘Shotgun Wedding’ actress submitted the divorce papers herself without the help of an attorney and enlisted their date of separation as April 26. 

Earlier this year, the ‘Argo’ actor moved away from his shared marital home with Jennifer Lopez and rented a property in Brentwood near Garner’s residence. 

The insider explained that his loved ones are worried about him and have formed the “mercy squad” through which they are constantly checking on the ‘Gone Girl’ actor so that he doesn’t revert back to alcoholism. 

“Ben may come across looking all happy and cheery. And he is, for the most part, but he certainly has his down moments,” shared the source. 

They continued, “As much as he was relieved to escape this marriage, the divorce has still taken a toll on him. His reputation has taken a huge hit and he’s grappling with a lot of guilt.”

The tipster revealed that though the ‘AIR’ star has been “throwing himself into work” as a “healthy escape” from the hullaballoo of his split, his “history” of alcohol addiction means “there’s always a worry that he’ll turn back to his vices when the going gets tough.”

“That’s the main reason you’re seeing Jen going over there nearly every day to make sure he’s okay. His mother, his brother and his close friends, like Matt Damon, are helping out too,” revealed the source about the rest of the “mercy squad.”

The source spilled, “They’re all in touch with him and with each other,” before adding, “They’re very much a team and acting as a de facto support group for him. If they’re seeing a thing to worry about, they alert each other immediately. Ben knows they’re all in touch, but he doesn’t know the extent of it.”

The former couple tied the knot in 20005 before separating in 2015. Though they finalized their divorce in 2018, Affleck and the ‘13 Going On 30’ actress remained on friendly terms and amicably co-parent their children Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.

Jennifer Garner is having trouble in her relationship because of Ben Affleck

Previously, another source told In Touch that seeing Garner and Affleck’s photos together was the last straw for Lopez. 

“Seeing the photos of them looking more like a couple than a pair of exes was the final straw for J Lo It was the push she needed to finally file for divorce,” shared the source. 

“She kept hoping that she and Ben might work things out, but he put in zero effort to fix things and only seemed interested in spending time with Jen and his kids. It was horrible for J. Lo, because she’s now left wondering if she was some sort of pawn that he used to try and win Jen back,” explained the source. 

However, the close proximity between Affleck and Garner not only pushed Lopez to file for divorce but has allegedly caused a strain on the ‘Elektra’ actress’s relationship with John Miller as well. 

An insider recently told Life & Style Magazine, "John has shown incredible patience and that he’s really endeared him to Jennifer. Privately, he has been known to find it a little bit intimidating that she’s still so close to Ben. But he doesn’t dwell on it, he understands she had a past before him and that there is still a place for Ben in her life."

"Ben's got a key to come and go as he pleases, and he’s been spending a ton of time at Garner's place, coming over for dinners and hanging with the kids. It’s great for his state of mind and the kids love having him around, and this is why Jen’s open to the idea of having him move back in,” said another source. 

Nevertheless, another insider added that Garner is now “trying to woo him back and salvage the relationship.”

“John is at the end of his rope with what he considers Jen's 'unfathomable' support for her ex-hubby while ignoring him in the process,” said the insider of her effort to amend her relationship.