It was a sad day for the fashion world. News about the death of Kate Spade, the face behind the highly successful line of bags, wallets and fragrances of her namesake, made headlines.
The famous American fashion designer was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on Tuesday, June 5.
New York Police Department (NYPD) sources said that Spade hanged herself in an apparent suicide, as earlier reported by CNN.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said that authorities immediately went to Spade’s apartment after they received a call from her housekeeper at around 10:10 a.m.
READ: Celebrities mourn the death of fashion designer Kate Spade
Her untimely demise has kept the world in shock, with many celebrities and netizens giving out their condolences to Spade’s family.
This is not the first time news of a celebrity’s death by apparent suicide made news. Just this year, Swedish DJ and electronic dance music producer Tim Bergling, known as Avicii, died due to massive blood loss after cutting himself with glass from a broken bottle.
Avicii committed suicide while he was on vacation in Muscat, Oman. The singer was found dead last April 20.
READ: Report claims Avicii died after cutting himself using broken bottle
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, nearly 800,000 people die every year due to apparent suicide. That’s one person for every 40 seconds.
The report, published in 2015, also revealed that it is the second leading cause of death in people aged 15 to 29 years old.
But why do people, even successful ones, consider ending their life through suicide?
An article published by Mental Health America revealed some of the reasons people consider ending their own lives.
Mental illness
Anxiety and depression, especially if left undiagnosed and untreated, is the most common culprit. Even though therapy and medication help curb ill feelings associated with having a mental illness, some people are still left feeling lonely and emotionally unstable.
In an article by CTVNews, Kate Spade’s husband revealed that the fashion designer had been battling depression and anxiety and that she was battling her “personal demons”.
Trauma
Traumatic episodes in one’s life can take a massive toll on one’s overall health. Hence, many victims of physical and sexual abuse often contemplate suicide.
Substance abuse
People who are use illegal drugs are found more likely to be depressed, therefore more susceptible to consider suicide.
Relationship Problems
Marital problems and even controversies surrounding close friends can make people feel isolated and depressed.
Genetics, family history
A study published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology in 2011 has revealed there is a specific gene that is linked with suicidal tendencies.
“Our findings may lead to the testing and development of treatments that target this gene in order to help prevent suicide,” Dr. James Kennedy, director of the Neuroscience Research Department at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health said.
“In the future, if other researchers can replicate and extend our findings, then genetic testing may be possible to help identify people at increased risk for suicide,” he added.
Related article: Celebrities mourn the death of fashion designer Kate Spade
