IT’S JUNE AGAIN
“She was cute, quirky, a little retro and it was just right.”
Words written by, thedailybeast.com on 6/5/18, about Kate Spade, fashion designer and businesswoman, and similar words written about Rebecca Cutler, writer, editor and radio personality on 6/7/04 in the Chicago Sun Times and The Chicago Tribune.
Kate died by suicide this June, 2018. Rebecca died by suicide fourteen years ago this June, 2018. Kate was 55 ~ Rebecca was 30.
Both shocking deaths prompted an outpouring of grief among family, friends and fans. Both women were beloved by many.
Kelly Cutrone, fashion publicist, said, “I saw her (Kate) two months ago. She was fine but everyone seems fine.” Rebecca also seemed fine to the general public, at work, on air with Steve Cochran at WGN-Radio and to her friends and some family members before her death.
Celebrity stylist Philip Block said it best: “It’s sad, very very sad. It’s one of those things where you look and say you’ve got a husband and a kid and a business, how did this happen?”
Mr. Block continued, “We live in a shallow and superficial world but no one was really hearing what Kate was saying to them as she was clearly depressed. You can have all the success and it can look so great but you can still feel like a failure.”
The comparisons between Kate Spade and Rebecca Cutler are eerily similar. No one believed a girl like Rebecca could be depressed. While she did not have a husband, she did have a career, friends, loving family and all the trappings of a happy life. Yet, Rebecca was told too many times to pull herself up by her boot straps. What do you have to be depressed about? You have it all…quit complaining. Who was really hearing what Rebecca was saying to them as she, too, was clearly depressed.
It was noted in the Santa Monica Observer, June 5, 2018 that Kate Spade was “suffering from clinical depression for which she was taking medication.” Rebecca suffered with depression and bipolar disease for which she was taking medication. Both women were in talk therapy. Both women lived with high functioning depression.
They looked ‘fine.’
Who thought Kate Spade and Rebecca Cutler suffered with emotional and physical pain every day of their lives? My best guess…few if any.
Yes, society has made plenty of strides in understanding the complexities of depression and bipolar disease, yet there is still a longstanding stereotype of a ‘depressed person.’ Kate and Rebecca depressed? No way!! They had it all! They looked fine!!
“The first step towards recognizing my symptoms and advocating for myself, wrote Deidre Olsen on June 4, 2018 for Refinery 2a, 2018, was simply to believe myself ~ even if no one else did.”
June is a sad month for the Cutler family and all those who knew and loved Rebecca. June will now be a sad month for the Spade family and all those who knew and loved Kate.
We offer our sincere condolences to Kate’s family, friends, colleagues and fans and a pledge to renew Rebecca’s Dream’s energy, resources and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases. We will not stop helping those in need of hope, help and encouragement to live full and successful lives while managing their mental health.
Rebecca’s Dream continues CHANGING THE FACE OF DEPRESSION.
“We honor all the beauty (Kate) brought into this world.”
kate spade new york (@katespadeny) June 5, 2018
Rebecca Lynn Cutler, you too are honored for your empathy, compassion, sweetness, outrageous humor, deep love you held for so many and all the beauty you brought into this world. You will never be forgotten.
With pride and love,
Mom
FACTS:
ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION THE 10TH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS SUICIDE.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE RISK OF SUICIDE SHARPLY DECLINES WHEN PEOPLE CALL
THE NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK OR TEXT ‘HOME’ TO 741741 (CRISIS TEXT LINE)
Rebecca’s Dream and Buffalo Grove Park District are partnering on this fabulous production “On Stars Not Falling” by Scott Shallenbarger.
Buffalo Grove Park Districts ‘Big Deal Productions’ Theatre for Thought Summer Production
On Stars Not Falling by Scott Shallenbarger
Directed by Kathy A. Martin
June 29 and 30 at 7:30 pm
June 30 at 2 pm
Wine, beer and snacks are available at 7 pm paired with a silent raffle. A talk back with the author, actors, artistic team, and Rebecca’s Dream’s Board Member, Geri Helfand, LCSW, following the evening performances.
This show contains adult themes and is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Ticket Information Coming Soon!
I need them to be present with me in the storm, not just tell me what to do.
– Healthyplace.com
Rebecca’s Dream College 2019 Scholarships in memory of Dr. Harlan Haimes
Rebecca’s Dream is a 501(c)3 Foundation, committed to serving the community by promoting awareness and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases. The Rebecca’s Dream Scholarships are an opportunity for high school senior students to address the serious issue of stigma associated with mental illness.
Three applicants will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship each.
Tips & Tools
If you and your family are watching “13 Reasons Why” Be sure to review this important information from JED. Rebecca’s Dream recommends teens do not watch the program alone.
Dear Community,
Last spring the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, captured the attention of youth globally and created countless discussions among teens, families and schools about suicide prevention, mental health, bullying and more. At the same time, concerns were raised by mental health advocacy groups and experts, including our team at The Jed Foundation, about whether the series presented risks to some viewers because of how the show addressed some of these important and complicated issues.
Given the response to the first season and the gravity of the topics season two would likely cover, we partnered with dozens of organizations and experts to develop a statement including recommendations around viewing the series. Following the release of the new season on Friday, we strongly encourage parents, educators and professionals to review and follow this guidance:
- For vulnerable and at-risk youth (for example those living with depression or an anxiety disorder) we encourage families to make a thoughtful decision about whether or not to watch 13 Reasons Why because of the triggering impact it might have on them. Some of the story lines could be quite upsetting and result in them needing additional monitoring, support and/or treatment. We recommend using the show’s rating (TV-MA) as a source of guidance about the intensity of the content.
- If your teens do watch the series, make an effort to watch with them. This will allow you the opportunity to monitor the impact the show has on your child. It also affords you the chance to talk after each episode and ensure that they are comfortable enough to continue watching. We encourage viewers to watch the additional video resources provided by Netflix in which actors and experts discuss several of the issues portrayed in the show.
- If you are not able to watch together, talk with your teens about their thoughts, reactions and feelings about the content. Check in with them multiple times as it can take a few days to process the content and they will likely continue to talk about the show with their peers. Let them know that they can come to you with questions or worries about themselves or their friends and that you will be there to listen and help guide them.
- Reassure youth that fiction and reality are not the same thing. Even though some might believe that what they have seen on television is or feels like reality, it is critical that you help them understand what is and is not reality and that the outcomes from the series do not have to be their outcomes.
- Learn what resources are available in your local community where you can find help if needed. These might include: a local public health agency, a mental health professional, the counselors at your child’s school, or a crisis phone service.
While many of the issues highlighted in the series – sexual assault, suicide, gun violence, bullying, drugs and alcohol and more – are important for people to talk about and the show will encourage more conversations among families and in schools, the representation of some of those issues are particularly graphic, especially in episode 13, and may be triggering for some viewers.
Please visit 13reasonswhytoolkit.org for resources and information on these critical topics young people are facing today.
If you or someone you know needs help immediately, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support:
Crisis Text Line: text “Hello” to 741741
The Lifeline: call 800-273-TALK (8255)
National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: call 800-656-4673
Source: The Jed Foundation
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