Designer Kate Spade’s untimely death by suicide on June 5 shocked people worldwide. In order to honor Kate, her brother-in-law David Spade made a large donation to a mental health organization, according to media reports.
David made a $100,000 donation to the
National Alliance on Mental Illness, reported
People magazine. The organization is the nation’s largest grass root mental health organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to Americans affected by mental illness.
“More people suffer from mental health issues than we may realize but no one should ever feel ashamed to reach out for support,” David told the news website.
In his statement to the news website, he encouraged people who require support to reach out to the organization or call the national suicide prevention hotline.
The 53-year-old actor and comedian previously
spoke out about his sister-in-law’s sudden death, sharing his thoughts and memories of the late designer on social media.
David is the brother of Kate’s husband of 24 years, Andy Spade.
Kate’s devastated husband, 56,
revealed that she had been suffering from depression and anxiety. In a lengthy statement, he paid tribute to his wife and said that Kate had been seeking treatment for her mental health condition.
“Kate was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known and my best friend for 35 years. My daughter and I are devastated by her loss, and can’t even begin to fathom life without her,” the statement read, reported
The New York Times.
“We are deeply heartbroken and miss her already.”
“There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn’t her. There were personal demons she was battling.”
Celebrity Deaths Put Mental Health in the Spotlight
Kate was not the only public figure who passed away that week. Celebrity chef
Anthony Bourdain, 61, was also found dead after he took his own life in a hotel room in France.
Many celebrities and public figures have been urging anyone struggling with mental health issues to seek health and reach out for support following the two prominent deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report
Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates on June 8 revealing that suicide rates have increased by 30 percent since 1999. However, the report points out that there were a variety of factors other than mental health conditions that lead to suicide.
“Suicide rates increased significantly across most states during 1999–2016. Various circumstances contributed to suicides among persons with and without known mental health conditions,” the report stated.
Other factors that lead to suicide include relationship problems and other life stressors such as criminal or legal matters, eviction or loss of home, and recent or impending crises, according to the report.
If someone is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or to text “Talk” to 741741.
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