Internal musings and thoughts

Author suicide

              Mental health issues plague about 1 in 5 Americans which equates to about 6% of the population.  This blog is not about symptoms, effects, or

solutions to mental health issues.  There are too many articles dedicated to these issues already.  I am not an expert in this field; therefore, I will leave that to

the professionals.  They can do a better job at it than I can, at least I hope so. 

               This blog is about a young, adult, fiction writer by the name of Ned Vizzini who committed suicide on Monday at the age of thirty-two leaving behind

a wife and a little girl.  He was on the NYTimes best seller list, had articles published, a speaker on mental health issues, and suffered with mental health

issues.  His family knew about his issues, and tried to help him throughout his upbringing.  Unfortunately he succumbed to his issues by jumping off the roof of

his parents' home in Brooklyn.  His demons were too powerful. 

               I didn't know this author, nor heard of him before this day.  I know a few of my friends have been diagnosed with mental health issues.  I can put the

community at ease letting you know I don't have any mental health issues.  Some of my friends have come to the place where they thought there was no

release.  Unfortunately they succumbed to their demons like Ned.

               Death happens around us all the time.  The holidays seem to bring out the worst in people.  This is not always the case, but depression does set in

around the holidays.  I wish that weren't the case since this holiday is supposed to be about glad tidings and good cheer.  I hope this holiday brings you happy

thoughts. 

               According to the article I read about his suicide he stated that writing eased his mental health issues.  Writing took him away from that evil place. 

He said "he wanted to be a writer because he wanted to do something that had the potential to outlast his own death."  Sad to say that reality has come to

fruition for him.  He had a lot more potential as his resume gave credit.  He had a bright future.that would have put him into the annals of well known writers. 

               He was well on his way of reaching the status of accomplished author.  I hope to reach that status, and hope that nothing in my life causes me to go

down the same path as Ned.  I hope we can all reach this status, and if anyone within the community is plagued by mental health issues please get help. 

Mental health is not a minor issue, it can become a major issue.  We don't want these demons to take another life.