Culturess
Fansided

Reddit responds to Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain deaths with Suicide Prevention Megathread

By Joanne Eglash

facebooktwitterreddit

In the wake of the shocking suicides of two beloved celebrities (Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain), Reddit provides support.

The AskReddit community on Reddit is known for inspiring members to share on all aspects of their lives. With the shock waves from Kate Spade’s and Anthony Bourdain’s suicides still reverberating, a Suicide Prevention Megathread has given Reddit users a place to mourn, to share, and to get support.

While famous people such as Kate and Anthony are in the spotlight, one of the AskReddit moderators pointed out that the “great and talented people [who] have left the world by way of suicide [include] not just those are famous, but friends and family members of everyday people.”

The thread was created for those affected by the suicide of others to tell their stories as well as for those who almost ended their lives to share. And above all, the megathread offered resources for those in need.

Reddit users share from the heart about suicide

Turning to the megathread, Reddit users offered everything from their own experiences with feeling suicidal to their support for others who were feeling depressed. When one individual expressed a wish for a suicide chatline rather than a telephone hotline, for example, another was quick to respond by suggesting Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

One user described attempting suicide at age 19, revealing that “the hardest thing for non-suicidal people to understand is that a lot of suicidal people don’t want to kill themselves, they just want to stop existing.”

Taking time to reach out to others can make a difference

Several Reddit users described just how much of a difference it can make to have someone else get in touch.

“A person from my past reaching out to me, even for 5 minutes, does exceptionally more for my mental well-being than seeing 10,000 redditors spam the numbers for different suicide prevention hotlines,” wrote one individual. “Please, please reach out to the people in your life. You can keep it as light as you want. We’re social creatures, and even limited interaction goes a very long way.”

Others agreed. Some confessed to how isolated they felt in the world, while others urged everyone to take time to reach out to someone else. One Reddit user encouraged others to take time to connect while emphasizing how much it can mean to someone who is depressed.

"Thinking of your friend from high school? Send them a Facebook message and let them know they’re on your mind. Hear about an old colleague that got a promotion or new job? Send them a text and say congratulations… When I was in my darkest place, [communications from friends were] really a ray of light."

Where to get help

Reddit recommends the following resources that might help anyone feeling suicidal:

Related Story: Anthony Bourdain’s death spurs celebs and fans to open up about depression

While some expressed challenges in renewing former friendships, another Reddit user summed up the importance of connecting with other people: “The… important thing is to try to be a good friend to the people in your life right now.”

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.

Home/Social Progress