The recent deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain can raise all sorts of issues for people who are battling depression and/or have some type of personal experience with the subject of suicide.  It's jarring, and to some extent, there's some temporary sense of comfort when these tragedies make the news.  Suddenly, people around us are talking about the thing we struggle with, and there are all of these statements of support. 

People mean well, and it's not that they don't care.  It's not that at all.  However, that collective messaging fades into the distance pretty quickly as the 24-hour news cycle brings the next piece of bad news for everyone to discuss.  That is, of course, until the next public figure takes their own life, and the cycle starts all over again.

What can you do if you're still dealing with this stress, but everyone else seems to have moved on?  The most simplistic, but true, suggestion is to talk to someone, whether it's a relative, friend, or medical professional.  No matter what else is going on in the world, you still deserve all the support you need to survive and thrive.  

If you're not in this situation, look around and see who's missing from the daily conversation.  Depression can impose a crippling sense of isolation, and you could make a world of difference by simply reaching out and asking, "Are you okay?"

We love our readers, and we want you with us for the long haul.  To paraphrase the Linkin Park song, we care if one more light goes out in a sky of a million stars.  Every single one of those stars matters, and we wish you all peace and happiness.

Here are a few resources:

United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Brazil: Suicide Prevention Hotlines

United Kingdom: Suicide Prevention Hotlines

Ireland: Suicide Prevention Hotlines

Canada: Suicide Prevention Hotlines

Keep one more light on.  (pic via theweeklyspoon.com)