By Yasmine Zapp

There has been a recent rash of celebrity lives ending abruptly this year — and it’s only March. Why? What gets into these poor souls heads that makes them think “out” rather than “help” is a better way?

Speaking as a mother of a little boy, every time I hear about another passing, I think about the loved ones left behind. I think of the parents and friends who probably watched them struggle over and over. Each time trying to help, trying to read the signs. Staging interventions and supporting rehabs, trying to do whatever necessary to help. Sadly, sometimes, it’s not enough.

In reflection on today’s news, and that of the past few weeks, my heart goes out to the families of these sons who have gone too soon.

Corey Haim had a successful career that started in the early 80′s (First Born) and continued with hits such as: Silver Bullet, Lucas, and The Lost Boys. He made his struggle with drugs and alcohol known, and took the steps he needed to take to get clean. Sadly, though new information has recently surfaced on a potential cause,  Corey was found dead today by his mother, due to a reported drug overdose.

Marie Osmond’s son Michael Bryan cut his life short in February after a long battle with depression.  He had been in and out of rehab and seemed to be “okay” at the time of his death. His friends and roommates all stated that he was clean and sober the night of his death. The note he left behind said that he had no friends and felt like he would never fit in.

Andrew Koenig (son of Walter Koenig a.k.a. Star Trek’s Chekov) had suffered from bouts of depression off and on for his whole life.  His career started on TV’s “Growing Pains” and it seemed as though this young man had an incredible life ahead of him. His focus changed and he became an activist, writer and director for personal projects that really make a statement. However, somewhere along the line Andrew decided that life was too much. He burned through his money and left for Vancouver. For days he went missing while family and friends searched. On Feb 25th, local Vancouver police found his body deep in the forest…not wanting to be found.

These losses serve as a tragic reminder that if you know someone who needs help, you must try to help them find it.

There are a number of organizations waiting on standby 24/7 to assist in any way that they can at no cost. If you are a family member or caretaker of someone in trouble, please contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). They will get you in touch with local groups and organizations that can help. It’s also good to know that there is always a meeting somewhere near your town. No one ever needs to feel, or be, truly alone.

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