Something I’m hearing about with the suicides of celebrities like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain is that we shouldn’t put so much of a spotlight on them, considering there are hundreds of non-famous people who commit suicide every day and thousands more who struggle with mental illness on an ongoing basis who we never hear about. Others say that this will just blow over in a few days when the Next Big Thing happens that takes center stage... Here’s my take on this: I hope that the deaths of these two people can help be a catalyst to open the discussion more about mental illness, how it effects individuals and their families, and what can be done about it, because too much stigma and misunderstanding still exists. If their deaths can do nothing more than this, then that's already saved some lives.
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The gigantic "misunderstanding" emanating from society is borne of ignorance and not understanding why some people choose to end their lives. Like the scientist who recently travelled to Switzerland to end his.
The inference running through the current narrative, which suggests those who take their own lives don't really know their own minds is patronising, arrogant and offensive.
And it completely ignores the subject of quality of life.
Ellatynemouth
Level 8
June 14, 2018
2
People looked up to these celebrities..I am a fan of Bourdain myself..a person in mental distress and despair might take a celebrity suicide the wrong way..as in they have fame fortune everything..and they still ended their lives..what hope have I if they can't bear to keep living...??
Hitchens
Level 8
June 14, 2018
2
However, I don't fully believe that downplaying suicide in the public eye is quite the answer to the mental health crisis that suicide represents. The decision is ultimately personal, and the way we respond to/prevent/treat suicide should be honest and personal.
KJThomas
Level 6
June 13, 2018
3
More and more there is a "script" for life and what we do. Nobody can be themselves. This is followed so closely and is so ingrained into us that it is almost impossible to deal with the real person. Our workplace has this attitude and often we are trained from computer script. I'm sure TV and movie people go through this same thing daily. It's no wonder that we see suicides and death among those that we thought had no problems at all.
DenoPenno
Level 9
June 13, 2018
1
What if some, if not many of the people who commit suicide are not "ill." Maybe suicide is the least painful, best option?
And please, I don't say this to be argumentative or disrespectful. But perhaps sometimes, the pain of life is greater than the pain of death.
Your thoughts?
Mitch07102
Level 8
June 13, 2018
4
@MissKathleen
So do I. Let them have the choice over their own lives and problems. Lets just stick to ours ?
@KissedbySun Best wishes.
Celebrity sells, not on my life but I am not like everybody.
GipsyOfNewSpain
Level 9
June 13, 2018
1
I agree. I hope this normalizes mental health treatment; it really should be viewed no differently than physical health treatment.
Untamedshrew
Level 7
June 13, 2018
2
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