What these celebrity suicides should teach us

The untimely deaths of fashion designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain this week -- both from apparent suicides -- have rocked the entertainment world and left many people asking one key question:

How can people who have so much -- money, fame, a bevy of accomplishments to their name -- commit suicide?

Interestingly, I wrote separate entries in recent days that touch on these topics peripherally. Here they are in case you missed them:

2 effective ways to combat depression

A sad truth about many people we know

The first entry suggests helpful ways of keeping your mind off of whatever is dragging you down, like staying busy through mentally rigorous activities.

The latter post attempts to dispel the notion that money and material possessions translate into indefinite happiness.

Spade and Bourdain's deaths are the latest in a string of celebrity suicides in recent years. You may recall that Robin Williams, one of world's most celebrated actors, took his own life in 2014.

So what do these suicides teach us?

For one, they show us that these celebrities' lives may seem perfect on the surface, but deep down they are wrestling demons just like the rest of us, even if those battles may be of a different ilk.

I would venture to say that some of them became more famous than they ever imagined, and with more renown comes greater pressure and scrutiny.

Imagine being in the public eye every day, with paparazzi and fans chasing after you for pictures or autographs. What's more, their grueling schedules necessitate being away from friends and family for extended periods of time, likely making them feel isolated at times.

Yes, these people can vacation anywhere they please; buy flashy jewelry, cars, and mansions to their heart's content, and dine at the finest restaurants on the face of the earth.

But materialism can't undo or fix the serious problems that they, like all human beings, face in their lives -- from health issues to strained relationships with loved ones. They may serve as a temporary distraction, but that's about it.

So for those of us who would do anything to be rich and in the spotlight, these shocking deaths should really put things in perspective. Like everything else in life, stardom has its share of pros and cons.

I always encourage people to aim to impress themselves -- not others. Why would you idolize a celebrity when you can celebrate you?
Why dress and act like someone else?

You bring a unique toolbox of skills, values, experiences, and beliefs to the world. Being an original, moreover, is far more gratifying than being a duplicate.

There's no harm in being someone's fan and acknowledging their talent and abilities. But that doesn't mean you should see their life as ideal.

And if you find yourself depressed -- let alone beset with thoughts of suicide -- please don't be afraid to get help. Reach out to friends or loved ones, enlist the services of a counselor, or call a local or national suicide prevention hotline.

You may also contact me in the comments section or via Facebook and I will respond as promptly as I can. Rest assured you are not alone!

Without a doubt, these celebrity deaths prove that the high life is probably not all it's cracked up to be.

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