Just this morning I read the news that the legendary designer Kate Spade was found dead in her New York City apartment at 55- years-old. She appeared to have hanged herself with a red scarf from a doorknob, next to a suicide letter written for her 13-year-old daughter. This news was of course devastating to hear. It is always a tragedy when someone takes their own life, especially when they are young themselves and have young children.
I remember the first time I bought a Kate Spade bag. It was a Christmas present for my mom in 2016. Kate Spade bags are not cheap, and I remember being so proud that I had saved up enough money to buy it for her. I remember how shocked my mom was when she opened it on Christmas morning, completely surprised that I was able to buy it.
Fast forward to the Christmas of 2017. I was 18-years-old and just finished my first semester of college. I was thinking about internships and my career, feeling like a total adult. That was when my mom bought me my first Kate Spade bag. I carry it every day, and I still remember how excited I was when I opened it for the first time. I felt like a professional woman, all grown up. Looking back at those moments now, I wish that I could tell those story to Kate, to let her know how special her products were.
When you hear about the death of a celebrity, I think it's normal to wonder how they could be so miserable when their life looks so perfect. We see someone who has achieved enormous success in their life. Not only are they rich and famous, but they achieved the dreams that so many others have. They made it to the top through sheer talent and hard work, creating a life that made a real impact on others.
The sad reality, however, is that mental illness does not care about any of those things. Depression can affect everyone, from the very poor to the rich and powerful. It can hit when your career is falling apart or when it's thriving. Depression is non-discriminating and insidious, harming even the most confident and powerful people.
Every time a suicide is reported on the news, it is a reminder that mental illnesses are just as dangerous and lethal as physical illnesses are. The only difference is that there is a large stigma placed on mental illness that prevents people from seeking help and getting the treatment they need. We as a society can do better, and we need to take steps to end this stigma and make treatment accessible to those who need it.
To do this, we need to stop calling people mentally ill like it's an insult. We need to educate people, especially kids, on these disorders so that they can learn to recognize it in themselves and others. But most importantly, we have to make it known that mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression can be treated. Yes, mental illnesses are chronic and cannot be cured, but they can be successfully treated and minimized with proper care and hard work.
We are going in the right direction when it comes to ending the stigma of mental illness, but clearly, a lot more work needs to be done. Rest in peace, Kate Spade.
