Heath Ledger found dead in NYC

[Earl]

It's always nice to see people give so much understanding to another person's misfortune. The next time somebody famous dies will you all do me a favor and remind me to slap myself silly?

I'd like to be incoherent and dizzy so I can better understand these comments. Thank you.

[NightLad]

I agree that there has been far too much speculation and rumoring/gossip about his death. There has been no official statement released as to the cause, and as far as I know, at the time of this posting, there has not even been an autopsy.

The first time I heard about this, earlier today, I was told that he had been found dead and naked in Ashley Olsen's bedroom.

I’ll wait to see the autopsy results and definitive proof before I comment again about Heath’s passing. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time, especially his child.

RE: Suicide
Sadly, I've had to deal with this subject in my personal life, by association with friends and close relatives who have attempted. Subsequently, I have undergone response training in how to deal with, and speak to, people who are considering ending their own lives.

The topic is as delicate as it is multifaceted. One of the major things I've learned is that nobody chooses to end their life on a whim or out of boredom. In the majority of the time, the decision is reached because it seems like the best possible solution for ending what is perceived as inescapable suffering. The suffering can be physical, such as that experienced by people with chronic illness, or emotional in nature.

It is vital for the rest of us to understand that when discussing 'suffering' that the term is relative. None of us can reasonable 'compare' or 'grade' a level of human suffering, or dismiss another person’s pain.

That said; I find the idea of casting blanket judgments against all people who are driven to contemplate suicide quite disconcerting. Such a projection of blind condemnation is highly dangerous when met by people considering such an action themselves. Has it not been considered that there very well may be a person here, on these boards, who will read such negative judgment directed toward them?

The result is never good.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, there is help.

http://suicidehotlines.com/
http://www.youthsuicide.ca/
http://www.suicideinfo.ca/

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
1-800-799-4TTY (4889) -> for deaf people

[Earl]

Ok what did I miss? Why are you posting suicide prevention numbers?

[Jay_Bunny]

It never hurts to give out useful information like that.

[Earl]

It never hurts to give out useful information like that.

We have that many people at risk here at the forum?

[NightLad]

Ok what did I miss? Why are you posting suicide prevention numbers?

You missed several posts earlier in this thread that directly discussed the possibility of Heath having committed suicide. Some of the comments were compassionate, while others were, IMO, judgmental to the point of callousness.

That is what I was addressing, for the reasons outlined in my earlier post. The helpline numbers and websites were listed for the same reasons.

We have that many people at risk here at the forum?

I mentioned the simple fact that one can never know... so perhaps it is wiser to err on the side of caution, rather than lambasting people who may very well be in that painful position.

[Earl]

Are you referring to monks comments?

[mtlcutie]

An absolute shame he was a good actor and very sexy to look at....he will be missed RIP

[python.princess]

from what i heard on the radio today, he's been stuggling with addiction problems for years but has been able to keep it under the radar for the mostpart. according to his friends, he's been having a really hard time of it and whether accidental, or suicide, they aren't all that surprised. also, he'd started taking the ambien while filming batman. his role was deeply disturbing to him and he wasn't able to sleep. one night, he had said he took 2 ambien and still only slept 2 or 3 hours.

at this point, i don't see how anyone can really know what happened. it could've easily gone either way. but they still haven't even named his official cause of death so it could be something completely different. maybe he had some hidden disease that wasn't known to the public. until we know, it's really not fair for anybody to criticize him.

[Inknsteel]

I heard the best response to this on the radio this afternoon. One radio DJ said that he's heard so many things, from suicide to accidental overdose, him being sick, him being in Mary Kate's apartment, etc, that he refuses now to talk about it, or to take calls from listeners talking about it, until the official cause of death is released.

No matter how you look at it, it's sad to see a life cut so short, for whatever the reason. My heart goes out to his fans, friends and family, especially the daughter who will grow up never knowing her father...

RIP Heath Ledger...