I woke up to headlines Anthony Bourdain committed suicide, and while on assignment in France.
Though he’s sometimes countries and seemingly worlds away from those watching TV, the sudden death hits too close to home.
As a TV journalist, and a lover of traveling, exploring, and tasting foods from all different cultures, it broke my heart to know there was quiet suffering behind the scenes.
This, despite living a life that, on the surface, may make many feel envious.
It’s terribly shocking news about a man who showed the world so much about other cultures and a man who seemingly enjoyed experiencing what the world offers.
I’d like to thank Anthony Bourdain for all the lives he touched with his storytelling and sense of adventure.
Though I grew up in America, my parents grew up in Vietnam before immigrating here.
Seeing Anthony Bourdain share a meal with Obama during an episode in Vietnam truly touched my heart.
His curiosity and respect for different cultures, including Vietnam, gave me a sense of validation — his travels made different worlds seem less like “the other.” Instead, he chose to highlight universal similarities while also celebrating differences.
Seeing him in Vietnam truly made me smile.
Respect is a universal language everyone understands and feels. I’ll always be thankful Anthony Bourdain approached every culture with respect, admiration, and awe, while bravely sharing his intimate experiences and interactions with the world.
One of Anthony Bourdain’s quotes, especially heartfelt, but also now heartbreaking:
None of this tragedy is a cautionary tale about traveling.
If anything, it’s to say, seize every moment because, cliché though true, life is fragile and no one can promise us tomorrow.
I’m a big advocate for counseling, life coaches, therapy, whatever is helpful for a person. There’s a social stigma against seeking mental health help and talking about it, but the conversation needs to happen.
This loss is a reminder that it’s okay to seek help when you may need it — temporarily if it helps pull through a setback or trauma, or consistently if that’s what it takes to reinforce support and get through to the other side.
I went to therapy immediately after my aunt died because it was not grief I could face alone. And seeking support never made me weak, it meant I had the courage to allow someone else to help me heal. And it is powerful for someone to want to heal.
At the end of the day, it’s difficult for us to help, give to, and support others if we haven’t taken care of ourselves, our own happiness and our own well-being.
Our minds and mental health is just as important, if not, on occasion, more important than our physical health.
If someone has diabetes or any ailment, isn’t it wise to see a doctor? Why should mental health be any different?
Some Resources:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800 -273 -8255
