This week has been rough. As we continue to grapple with the untimely death of designer Kate Spade, this morning we found out chef, writer, and traveler Anthony Bourdain also took his own life. While Black folks are known for our strength, suffering from things like depression and anxiety in silence is killing far too many people in our community.
Recently, Sheryl Underwood opened up about losing her husband to suicide in 1990. Though it happened nearly thirty years ago, the comedian was on the verge of tears as she discussed Spade’s passing and the heartbreaking incident with her husband.
“I’m kind of emotional about this because, as you know my husband killed himself. And you will never know. For people who think they know, you’ll never know if it’s clinical depression. You’ll never know if it’s financial stress. You’ll never know,” Underwood told her co-hosts on “The Talk.”
Underwood also sent her thoughts and kind words to Spade’s 13-year-old daughter, Frances.
“I’m sad for her daughter for that to be in the note because my husband left a note. And what the note does to the person who’s still alive, it shows that the person who’s no longer alive has now had the final word,” she said.
“And that pain does not…it doesn’t go away,” Underwood continued. “So I really hope that the family can come together for her daughter because it just doesn’t go away.”
Underwood also implored people who may be thinking about harming themselves to seek help.
“For people that need help, they need to get the help that they need,” Underwood said. “And for those who are left behind, you get help also.”
If you or someone you know is suicidal, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.