David Spade Makes Huge Donation for Mental Health After Kate Spade’s Death

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.

“Fuzzy picture but I love it. Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard,” David wrote in an Instagram post shortly after her death.

Fuzzy picture but i love it. Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day. She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still cant believe it. Its a rough world out there people, try to hang on.

A post shared by David Spade (@davidspade) on Jun 5, 2018 at 5:27pm PDT

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.

“Something very sad or traumatic can happen to you just once to bring about that feeling of despair. But please listen to me — from someone who is telling you that she’s been where you are — when I say that SUICIDE IS NOT THE RIGHT CHOICE,” actress Olivia Munn wrote on Instagram.

I have lived with anxiety and sporadic bouts of depression for most of my adult life. 10 years ago I tackled it, learned to fully understand it and haven’t felt the dark depths of depression in about a decade. But before that, thoughts of suicide crossed my mind more than a few times. For those who don’t understand depression, when someone is in that place it’s not because they want to die… it’s because the ongoing, relentless darkness is too painful to endure anymore. You don’t have to suffer from anxiety and depression to feel that low. Something very sad or traumatic can happen to you just once to bring about that feeling of despair. But please listen to me- from someone who is telling you that she’s been where you are- when I say that SUICIDE IS NOT THE RIGHT CHOICE. ? Here is a list of the international suicide prevention numbers. Please don’t hesitate to call for you or someone you think needs help. A phone call could change everything. Even if you think you don’t want to get involved or don’t want your friend to be mad at you or if you’re the one suffering and don’t want to be talked out of it or feel insecure about asking for help. Those are temporary consequences. With suicide, there’s no do-overs. Please try every single option you can before making a choice that cannot be undone.

A post shared by Olivia Munn (@oliviamunn) on Jun 8, 2018 at 7:04am PDT

“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Not only are you leaving your loved ones in unspeakable pain and grief, but you are ending your life when you could have reached out and gotten the help you needed to pull you out of the darkness. I have been at the lowest low in my life and I thought about what it would be like to end it all,” said Ireland Baldwin, daughter of actors Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.

My heart is extremely heavy today. I had a serious panic attack thinking about it all but then I reasoned with my racing mind. I know you’ve seen plenty of posts like this one… but I have this to say from the bottom of my heart. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Not only are you leaving your loved ones in unspeakable pain and grief, but you are ending your life when you could have reached out and gotten the help you needed to pull you out of the darkness. I have been at the lowest low in my life and I have thought about what it would be like to end it all. I think as human beings, it’s only natural to think about death and what comes after all of this. I know what it’s like to hit a wall and not have any clue how you’re supposed to get around it. Life can be so fucking hard and I know this, but it is also SO beautiful and extraordinary and this planet needs us. I just want to speak directly to anyone out there who is hurting… If you don’t feel loved, I love you and I need you here. I may not know you, but reach out to me. Reach out to anyone. Use your words. Lay it all out on the table and set it on fire. Make a change in your life if you feel stuck. Cast away your demons and chase your dreams. Eat whatever the fuck you want but take care of your body. Love yourself. Love every inch of yourself. Congratulate yourself every damn day. Don’t rely on your family or friends or people in general to be the center of your happiness. YOU become the center of your own happiness. The people in your life are meant to highlight and accessorize your amazing qualities, not be your crutches. It all starts inside. You are beautiful, someone out there loves you no matter what, and you are wanted. Can EVERYONE do me a huge favor and try doing this… Compliment a stranger everyday. Leave a sweet post-it note on a random car. Call your parents and tell them you love them more. Call anyone who means anything to you and tell them how much they mean to you. Hug people. Thank them. Listen to them. Be a good fucking person. I know it’s hard for some, but just try. You never know what people are going through in this life. Help truly can be a phone call away. ♥️

A post shared by Ireland Basinger-Baldwin (@irelandbasingerbaldwin) on Jun 8, 2018 at 7:31pm PDT

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

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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