Do. Not. Give. Up.
I was standing in the night air, steam and smoke wafting around me, taunting me with the smell of grilled food. The sound of a wooden flute played in the background. Rosario, a street vendor, stood over her shopping cart and dexterously molded perfectly glorious tortillas and tended to her pollo con papas. I was visiting Little Guatemala in the Westlake district of downtown Los Angeles. I went on these adventures weekly, accompanying chef Anthony Bourdain, on his show, Parts Unknown.
I didn’t actually go with Anthony, but he made me feel like I was with him, whether it was a boisterous marketplace or a quiet table in a remote village. Anthony took me on his journeys.
He was a guy who did things on his own terms. He was witty, direct, engaging, opinionated and seemingly comfortable with himself and, most notably, others. He wanted to know them. He held up the mirror of our humanity. At the intersection of food, politics, history and humor, Anthony Bourdain helped us understand others through breaking bread and conversation.
Today Anthony Bourdain died by suicide.
The world is weeping.
People are paying tribute by sharing their feelings and thoughts on social media.
Everyone is trying to wrap their heads around how someone they felt they knew could do this. Anthony was the super cool uncle everyone wished they had.
Some people don’t understand how someone who, looks like he has it all, would choose to leave this earth.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US.
Each year close to 45,000 people die in this country alone.
For every suicide, 25 people attempt suicide.
Suicide risk factors include mental health issues, serious health conditions, traumatic brain injury, prolonged stress, stressful life events, exposure to another person’s suicide, family history of suicide and childhood abuse, neglect or trauma.
Suicide is not selfish.
It is the result of a life threatening disease of unbearable pain and utter despair.
It is sheer hopelessness.
Living with depression and anxiety is a living hell.
Individuals who suffer are some of the most courageous people on our planet.
As a mental health professional, I witness peoples’ pain and despair each and every day.
As a human, I have experienced and witnessed the depths of sadness in my close circle.
Seek the purpose of life and you may find it has something to do with creating and finding meaning and being a part of something bigger than oneself.
Let’s create a community of caring where we are genuinely present for people.
I can think of nothing more meaningful than connecting with someone else.
How we relate to one another can be part of the antidote to healing.
Let’s honor Anthony Bourdain by remembering him and treating our fellow humans the way he taught us—by breaking bread, having deep conversations and truly witnessing the humanity in us all.
Suicide Hotline —1-800-273-8258
