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Coping With Multiple Celebrity Suicides And Taking Care Of Our Own Mental Health

Many people have experienced shock and sadness following the suicides this week of popular fashion designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.  Even though we didn't know them personally, some people are struggling to process the deaths.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Ann Arbor psychologist and lecturer at the University of Michigan Dr. Robert Pasick about what to do to cope, and the stigma of mental health issues.

The suicide rate in the United States has increased 25 percent since 1999,according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Pasick says medical support for mental health issues has been de-funded, and many people are still struggling with depression, which can lead to addiction.

He says two celebrity deaths in one week makes it risky for other copycat suicides.  Dr. Pasick suggests taking parenting more seriously and treating our children better as one way of reducing mental illness.  And he says we should not be afraid to seek medical help if you’re feeling depressed or at risk.

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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu

Lisa Barry was a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU.
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