Oh Deborah, what happened in this life to make you so bitter and nasty towards Charlotte Dawson? Surely you don't actually believe that someone who so openly discussed her struggles actually completed suicide based on something as flippant as a fear of looking older? I quote you "It is hard being 47. At the crisis of middle age, losing your sexual currency, becoming invisible." I guess the attraction of the 'cougar' isn't something you are familiar with?
Are you suggesting when approaching 50, people are no longer sexual creatures? no longer desired? no longer worthy? or just so unattractive that they might as well be invisible? Or are you only talking about women? I only ask because I wonder what you would say if it were someone like George Clooney that took his life. I did read your column on the suicide of respected defense lawyer, Greg King and you seemed to have a bit more compassion and open thought. Why aren't we talking about Greg's sexuality? Is that because Greg was a man? a lawyer? clever (by your judgement)? And since you aren't one adverse to personal attacks (or is that just ok after someone has completed suicide?), I wonder if your views on Charlotte Dawson and the focus on her losing her "sexual currency" are more to do with you feeling like you are losing your "sexual currency" after your husband left you.
I did my homework, I know you have suffered mild depression (as you put it) twice and I am sorry that you had to endure the torment that depression can bring. I too have suffered depression, on and off for many years. Sometimes medication helped and sometimes it didn't. That's not really relevant or interesting to anyone else but me is it? I firmly believe that the media need to stay out of the Doctor's office. After all, they are the ones who have done the training and hear all the details of our ups and downs.
Since we are talking about the most vulnerable and fragile of states, depression that leads to suicide, is it really wise to spout, so vehemently, ones own views on what would help those who are in such a state? How would you feel if someone who was in an unsafe situation read your article about Charlotte Dawson and came to the conclusion that you were right, that after a certain age they are useless? that if they no longer can pull a younger man their lives are meaningless? that if a woman is childless she has failed? We, as a society and as women, need to look at what is behind insidious low self esteem. It can manifest as an obsession in ones image, an eating disorder and it can lead to suicide. You are an educated woman Deborah, one who has some experience with feeling low, surely you have an ability to see behind what is presented on face value. Or maybe you don't?
I don't agree that "ageing is brutal". Ageing is a privilege, one that not everyone gets to experience. Sure, I admit that I am not a massive fan of wrinkles and sagging breasts but I consider myself extremely lucky to be alive with an ability to use my voice. That voice, as I am sure you know, develops as we age and experience hardships and/or trauma.
Suicide awareness, prevention and the reporting of it is something that requires urgent global attention. Mental illness and it's complexities is not something any of us should call judgement on because we don't really know the depths of anyone's battles. We can only know what they share with us. It is the responsibility of the media to take care when reporting on such issues and I trust your employer will take note of this.
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