Deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade spur suicide prevention efforts

Recent celebrity deaths are sparking conversations about suicide prevention and mental health resources.

On Friday, news outlets reported that Anthony Bourdain died by suicide.

CNN reported:

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement Friday morning. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Bourdain’s death follows the passing of designer Kate Spade, who died by suicide on Tuesday, and Swedish musician Tim Bergling (known as Avicii), who died by suicide on April 20.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that suicide rates have risen almost 30 percent since 1999. In 2016, nearly 45,000 people died by suicide in the United States—and more than half (54 percent) of those were not known to have mental health conditions.