George Michael

It's more than sad that the world has lost George Michael at the age of 53.  When first heard reports about a possible cause of death, I sensed the stigma. 
Today, major publications are using the word for the first time:
  

                       "Suicide ‘Not Being Ruled Out’ In George Michael's Sudden Death"

George Michael was a brilliant, spectacular artist blessed with a beautiful voice.  
If his death is ruled a suicide, perhaps we will learn something from it.   
Suicide rates have been rising every year for more than 50 years and with no end in sight. 
The solution isn't a secret.  We've changed attitudes on cancer, heart disease, just about everything that can ail us below the chin.  Public service awareness campaigns are vital to educating the public about topics that were once considered taboo.
We've proven time and time again that it works. 
Robin Williams, my mother, Diane Marcus Roy, now it looks like George Michael's name will be added to the list of people lost to a preventable epidemic.  So many beautiful people, so many reasons we need to rise up and demand our voices are heard and that the world no longer accepts what I would argue is Word War 3.  The death toll is actually a lot higher to date.  There should be a monument, a Wall of Tears of our own where we can mourn our loved ones, Take the Pledge to help end the stigma by Bring Change 2 Mind. org, add our names, our donations, our quilt squares, whatever symbols we decide belong at this sacred spot which symbolizes the end of "what can we do about it?"  And when we collectively agreed and acted like it was the beginning of a new, hopeful, stigma free day where love, kindness, compassion and knowing exactly what to do when we spot someone exhibiting the warning signs of bipolar disorder.  I didn't know how dangerous it is until it was too late.  That's the cross I have had to bear for 21 years and will continue to carry for the rest of my life.  My mother's death wasn't my fault.  But I'm so angry and devastated that I didn't know enough about manic-depression including that at least 95-percent of people who complete suicide, meaning they attempt it and die as a result, are bipolar, including my mother.
I envision a global campaign larger than anything we've seen or experienced to date.  Much larger.  Bigger than the Olympics.  It must inspire everyone to give and sacrifice a little for the greater good.
I hope our President-Elect, Mr. Donald Trump, sees this and agrees.  THIS PART IS SO IMPORTANT IT REQUIRES ALL CAPS:  WE NEED SOMEONE IN THE WHTIE HOUSE CABINET WHO IS DEVOTED TO ENDING THE STIGMA AND STOPPING SUICIDE.  THE "MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA AND SUICIDE BUCK STOPS HERE CZAR."  It's a working title, but hey, like President Truman, I'm from Missouri. Well, at least I went to the University of Missouri-Columbia Journalism School, so you'll have to "Show Me."
I'm not sure where I was going with that.
Oh yeah, it was President Truman who had a sign on his desk that said "The Buck Stops here."
This White House Cabinet Level Czar or whatever we're calling the position -- and call me "crazy," -- I had the idea, I volunteer to do it.  I envision a "consortium," if you will that brings together the various efforts, the wonderful leaders of organizations like Mental Health America, NAMI, the AFSP, and so many other groups each dedicated to the same cause but it seems to me that we could be stronger, bigger, better and more effective at saving lives with real leadership from our nation's capitol.  
Mr. President-Elect Trump, I know in my heart and mind that if you provide that leadership and that if we finally succeed on this monumental and until now unconquerable foe, this will be your most important accomplishment and what you will be remembered for and what could be more important than that?
The last great frontier known to mankind as the brain and researching brain disorders has been called is your man to the moon.  Making mental health as important as the rest of our bodies will go down in histowho finally is in charge of a campaign as big, inspiring and actually even more so than the race to put man on the moon. EVERY YEAR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DYING BY SUICIDE GOES UP. No other species even thinks about suicide. We're failing miserably. I volunteer


Suicide ‘Not Being Ruled Out’ In George Michael Sudden Death

Paul Resnikoff December 28, 2016 4
Pictured of the front of 'The Kuschnacht Practice' in Switzerland, a high-end rehabilitation center where George Michael stayed for months before his death.
‘The Kuschnacht Practice’ in Switzerland, a high-end rehabilitation center where George Michael stayed for months before his death.
George Michael’s death is now under investigation, with local coroners determining the cause of death. Suicide, specifically by intentional drug overdose, is ‘not being ruled out’.

Please note: this is a developing story, with more details likely to emerge. Please stay tuned for updates as we receive them. Last update: Dec 28th, 11 am PT.


Did George Michael dramatically take his own life on Christmas Day? That is now a serious possibility, with local authorities and coroners initiating a thorough autopsy. Initially, suspicions of a drug overdose surrounded the sudden death. But now it appears that drugs may have been ‘self-administered’ in a manner that almost guaranteed an overdose.

+ Is George Michael’s Family Covering Up a Drug Overdose?

So far, those close to the singer have listed ‘heart failure’ as the cause of death. But that suggests an overdose of sedatives, painkillers, and/or alcohol, all frequently used by George Michael for decades. Often, these extreme downers were used in combination by the singer, resulting in numerous arrests and several collapses while driving.

According to one source with a connection to George Michael’s staff, a suicide is ‘not being ruled out’. “We’re expecting an overdose [in the autopsy report],” the source relayed. Continuing, the source pointed to ‘lots and lots of self-medication’ by the singer, often ‘in high amounts,’ which leads to the strong suspicion of a suicide.

It should be noted that this is a single source, though one with determined credibility. Separately, another source to industry analyst Bob Lefsetz has also indicated that George Michael committed suicide, but these appear to be different individuals.

Our source declined to comment further, but urged us to secure an autopsy ‘whenever it’s released’. That may list ‘heart failure,’ but would also include (by law) whether drugs were found in the singer’s body at the time of death.


‘Months of Rehabilitation’…

Also emerging is that George Michael had spent month in a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland during the latter part of this year. According to the UK-based Daily Mail, George Michael spend ‘several months‘ at the facility, spending £280,000 ($342,000) a month for exclusive, high-end treatment.

The facility, The Kusnacht Practice, does not speak to the media to protect its high-profile clientele. That makes the exact treatment and term of the stay difficult to ascertain, though the Mail reported treatment for ‘depression’. When asked why he was at the facility in Zurich, George Michael declined to offer a reason, according to the report.

The Kusnacht website is here.

Local Police: No ‘Suspicious Circumstances’

Meanwhile, local police responding to the incident reported ‘no suspicious circumstances’. But that remains a vague statement, possibly indicating that no foul play, including homicide, had occurred. Meanwhile, statements from other surrounding parties have been equally vague and terse, making it extremely difficult to determine the actual cause of death.

The broader circumstances seem suspicious: a sudden death at 53, with no previous health conditions. And, a long history of drug abuse.

Autopsy Underway.

Exactly when the autopsy will be released is unclear. In some jurisdictions, an autopsy can take months to be formally published. That delay could serve to fuel speculation, though the document could include shocking details. In the case of Prince, the document included details of an addiction to extremely potent painkillers, something previously unknown to the public.

+Advertise With Digital Music News
Stay tuned for more details.


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George Michael




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