Kate Spade’s brand is taking a huge step toward helping people with depression and suicidal thoughts
On June 5th, the world lost iconic fashion designer Kate Spade to suicide. The loss of the brand and style visionary reminded us that depression has no one face, and also helped reignite the conversation around mental health. Now, a little more than two weeks later, Spade’s namesake brand has announced that it will donate more than $1 million to suicide prevention and mental health causes in her honor.
On Good Morning America today, June 20th, the Kate Spade Foundation announced its donation plans. Out of the total amount, the foundation said that $250,000 would go directly to the Crisis Text Line (741741), which is accessible — for free — 24 hours a day. From today through June 29th, the brand also pledged to match public donations to the service up to $100,000. To donate, visit crisistextline.org/katespadeny.
In addition to its monetary contributions, the brand will begin hosting a Global Mental Health Awareness Day for employees, according to NBC Los Angeles.
"Kate Spade was a true fashion icon who brought joy to the lives of women around the world, and inspired women to live life to the fullest. We are dedicated to carrying on her legacy," Kate Spade New York CEO Anna Bakst told ABC News in a statement.
Kate Spade's brand pledges $1M to prevent suicides, raising funds to help those in crisis: https://t.co/jCNDTZEzIE pic.twitter.com/9SkMydutLl
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 20, 2018
Suicide rates in the United States have increased significantly in recent years. New data from the CDC released at the beginning of June showed that from 2000 to 2016, the number of suicides rose by 30%, with the rate growing faster among women than men.
our foundation is donating over $1 million to these causes, starting with $250,000 to @crisistextline. from june 20-29, 2018, it'll also match public donations made to @crisistextline, up to $100,000. to donate, go to https://t.co/QpR7XiV69R. pic.twitter.com/DLzwyDbEMF
— kate spade new york (@katespadeny) June 20, 2018
In light of these tragic statistics, it’s important that we work to ensure that mental health services are accessible to everyone, and that we educate ourselves about the warning signs of depression — in both ourselves and in others.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
