Val’s Open Letter To Kate Spade: ‘You Were Enough’

Anytime a mental health crisis ends in suicide, I'm truly heartbroken. The news about designer Kate Spade this week really hit me. Did it hurt you?

In an effort to make sense of some of it, I decided to put some thoughts in a letter.

Dear Kate,

We didn't know each other, but my friends and I certainly know you. Your mission to bring all of us a little taste of NYC through a variety of killer handbags did not go unnoticed.

We all felt classier, and confident in our style, thanks to your brand.

Don't get me wrong: fashion might've been your industry and what you were known globally for, but it certainly was not what made you human. You had a husband, friends, and daughter, who loved and cared about you too. I don't know if you had a dog, but you look like a dog lover too and that's awesome. Maybe you like cats? I just think creative people love animals. Anyway...

We have three things in common: we're both east coast girls who've spent time in the Midwest (your native area, my adopted one), we've clearly got a passion for fashion, and (according to this website) we're part of the "40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year" that suffer from depression and anxiety disorders.

I wish you knew you weren't alone Kate. I wish you knew the crushing weight of your brand "responsibilities" wasn't all your life boiled down to. If that's even what was going on in your mind? I wish you knew that your friends and family (the true ones) understood that you were doing your best, regardless of how you felt. My guess is that you're "Type A" like me, and I know it's hard to relax with that personality type.

Your suicide happened, but it won't define you. I just wanted to know that you're going to be incredibly missed by millions. You were enough.

We'll use this as a reminder to be better to each other, and check in on each other more often.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, let this be an urgent reminder to seek help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Locally, you can turn to Mayo Clinic for resources too.

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