Anthony Bourdain’s death spurs celebs and fans to open up about personal depression battles
Anthony Bourdain’s death has prompted celebrities and fans alike to discuss personal issues with mental health. It’s a conversation that is both welcomed and very much needed.
Anthony Bourdain was a chef, a celebrity, an author, an activist, and so much more. His death has shocked the realms of food and entertainment. While celebrities, friends, and fans share memories of Bourdain on social media, a much-needed conversation is brewing about mental health.
Bourdain’s death was by suicide, and it follows the all-to-recent suicide of fashion designer Kate Spade. From the outside, we perceive these individuals as famous people with luxurious lives, which stereotypically should equal happiness in our eyes.
Celebrities are speaking out about this misperception following Bourdain’s passing. Many have revealed personal battles with depression and how those who appear to be on top of everything can be battling so many things from within. Fans of Bourdain are also opening up about issues they’ve experienced with mental health and sharing ways they’ve found the help they need.
Patton Oswalt, whose wife and writer Michelle McNamara passed away two years ago, shared the number for the National Suicide Hotline. He shared that he’s “brushed up against this darkness” and asks for those who also have to reach out and “stay on this side of it — in the light and warmth.”
National Suicide Hotline
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) June 8, 2018
1 800 273 8255
I’ve brushed up against this darkness and I know it’s a tempting exit but REACH OUT to ANYONE. Stay on this side of it — in the light and warmth. Where you get to try again, every day.
Evan Rachel Wood shared that watching Bourdain helped her “want to live” when she was dealing with depression.
Comedian Rob Delaney shared links to his Tumblr page where he said he’s “written about depression & how I’ve grappled with the urge to kill myself.”
❤️A couple things I’ve written about my depression & how I’ve grappled with the urge to kill myself.
— rob delaney (@robdelaney) June 8, 2018
1. https://t.co/Nxz9b4VrPy
2. https://t.co/yPoMHbG9cp
In recovery suicide is often referred to as “a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
We beat it *together*❤️
Journalist Yashar Ali shared this heartfelt story of how Bourdain helped save him, writing “In January I fell into a deep depression for the first time in my life. Having never dealt with it in the past, I was unprepared. Tony helped me save myself 1 text at a time.” (Click here to read the full thread).
1. My heart is broken. Anthony Bourdain was so good to me and a big reason I'm still doing what I'm doing. In January I fell into a deep depression for the first time in my life. Having never dealt with it in the past, I was unprepared. Tony helped me save myself 1 text at a time
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) June 8, 2018
Below are others who’ve shared times their mental health has suffered, as well as those who have a message to anyone seeking help.
We lose too many. Rest In Peace Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade. #Depression is not a life sentence without parole and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
— Brian Dietzen (@BrianDietzen) June 8, 2018
If you need help, there is NOTHING wrong with you.
If you need it, please use the Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
According to AFSP, there are nearly 45,000 suicides every year in the US. Shocking. I was saddened to hear of the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. RIP. It illustrates that success is not immune to depression. We all need to be more aware of our friends who are suffering
— Bryan Cranston (@BryanCranston) June 8, 2018
We lose too many. Rest In Peace Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade. #Depression is not a life sentence without parole and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
— Brian Dietzen (@BrianDietzen) June 8, 2018
If you need help, there is NOTHING wrong with you.
If you need it, please use the Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
For those wanting to reflect on Bourdain’s incredible work, CNN will air a tribute to the chef titled Remembering Anthony Bourdain tonight at 10 p.m. ET. This weekend, the network will dedicate much of its airtime to Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown starting at 8 p.m. ET.
As always, if you or someone you know needs help, please reach out. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at their toll-free number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.