Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik shares powerful suicide prevention video: ‘We need to remove the stigma'

Actor revealed she had been touched by suicide ‘very directly and closely’

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 21 September 2020 14:25 BST
Comments
Mayim Bialik shared a powerful YouTube message about suicide prevention
Mayim Bialik shared a powerful YouTube message about suicide prevention (YouTube/screengrab)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has shared a moving video message to help raise awareness during Suicide Prevention Month.

The actor, who starred as Amy Farrah Fowler in the hit sitcom, posted the two-minute video to her YouTube channel, revealing that she had been “touched by suicide very, very directly and closely”.  

“There’s nothing more important than talking about it, removing the stigma around it,” she said.

“It’s really hard to know what to say. We need to remove the stigma surrounding this. We need better access to help so that people can get help. That’s it. I don’t know what else to say.”

Bialik urged viewers to “please take care of yourself”, particularly during periods of quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Those of us who struggle are struggling even more,” she pointed out.

She concluded her video by pledging to continue to address suicide and mental health, in order to honour her loved ones.

Bialik captured the video: “Suicide is never an easy thing to talk about, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it. I’ve lost people very close to me whom I loved deeply to suicide.”

She also shared helplines in the US for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts: “Please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK, visit NAMI.org, or text NAMI to 741-741 for help.”

“The world is a better place with you in it. Do not hesitate,” she said.  

Watch the full video here.

If you or someone you know needs confidential support or advice, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in