DAYTON, Ohio — Hollywood A-listers and fans alike continue to share their condolences for Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the beloved DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and well-known performer, who died by suicide Tuesday.
What You Need To Know
- Stephen “tWitch” Boss, a well-known entertainer, died by suicide on Tuesday
- Mental health experts say the holiday season can be a challenge
- The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can always be reached by call or text at 988
But those stories and social media posts can be a trigger for people already struggling with their own mental health.
“I had friends reaching out, saying, ‘Oh, my gosh, how can something like this happen to someone so successful and what we perceived to be so happy,’” said Emily Riggs, a mental health therapist at Kettering Hospital.
Riggs said that sadness and suicidal thoughts are often masked by smiles, and that even those at the top of their game can still be struggling. She said that’s why it’s important for friends, family and even co-workers to speak up when they sense something is “off.”
“Maybe they’re kind of pulling back and retreating,” she said. “Maybe they’re not sharing with you authentically how they’re feeling. And I think if we know somebody pretty well, we’re like, ‘Hey, I’m going to ask you again, how are you?’ Right. I’m going to ask the hard questions. I’m going to lean in.”
Riggs said the holiday season can be particularly hard and encourages people to prioritize their mental health.
“Maybe getting through looks like not going to all of the gatherings that you’re invited to,” she said. “Maybe it looks like pulling back and disconnecting from some family or friendships that have become toxic or become difficult or where you don’t necessarily feel safe.”
If you’re having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. You can call or text 988 to be connected with a trained counselor.
