Like so many of you, I was saddened to hear about Kate Spade’s suicide a couple of weeks ago. I have to admit, I love me some Kate Spade products. To me, they’re not status symbols, they’re feminine, fun, and whimsical.
I found myself wondering, what is the appropriate thing to do with my Kate Spade bag now that she has taken her own life? My answer is, I’m going to continue to wear it on my arm every day because it reminds me of some very important things and some very important people.
Fact #1
The suicide rate among White, middle-aged women has increased by 60% from 1999 to 2014. That is an alarming increase. It’s telling us that as a society we need to pay more attention to that group of women because they, too, are struggling.
Fact #2
People who have bipolar disorder deserve to be able to live without being stigmatized and as the news is coming out that Kate Spade lived with bipolar disorder for a long time, I’m hoping that the societal narrative about that is not going to be slanted toward the negative. Some of my most creative, sassiest, and loving, long-term clients were folks that were living incredible lives with bipolar disorder. No, it’s not always easy when you have the challenges that that condition brings to your blood chemistry, but again these are people who bring so very much to our lives.
Fact #3
If you ever notice yourself thinking “the world would be a better place without me,” or “my family won’t really miss me, they’ll be better off without the burdens that I create for them” or if you ever hear a friend make those types of comments, please pull in professional support immediately. Those are tell-tale signs that that’s the depression talking and those are tell-tale signs that you may be in harm’s way. That is never the truth about anybody’s existence or the impact that they will leave behind them.
If you are needing to pull in some professional support right now, please don’t hesitate to contact us. CLICK HERE to reach us by email or call 303-455-3767 ext. 1.