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leetrout

Please talk to someone if you are feeling hopeless.

U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255)

National Suicide Helpline UK 0800 689 5652

His HN profile was also just his name https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=chrisseaton

I wish the best for his family and friends over the next few months. This will be a tough holiday season for them.

You never know what is going on in someone's life and no clue what was going on in his but I think working in tech is harder than people recognize / give credit (and may not have any bearing on Chris, I am not trying to speculate).

Please talk to someone if you are feeling hopeless.

U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255)

National Suicide Helpline UK 0800 689 5652

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Having been on the other end of it... the reality is harsh. People say they want to know, but in fact... they mostly don't. The reality of it is hard to deal with. It can go on and on.

People have a lot of misconceptions, sometimes for good reasons (it makes life easier to endure). It's a lot like the pushback on #metoo or #blacklivesmatter or <almost anything linked to traumatic experience>. They want to make it your fault because then its not something they have to think about.

I think depression is mostly orthogonal to where you work, although stress may make it worse.

I agree with this. Someone reaching out because they have a problem or need someone to talk to is perfectly welcomed. Someone who does so daily becomes a big f'ing drag on your life, pardon the expression.

My father did that to us kids after divorce, and our relationship has never been the same.

(For those curious, he didn't hurt himself, just became an angry, sad, drunk yearslong drag on us all).

This was definitely my experience. It takes so long and so much effort to get out of a deep depression that it strains everyone around you.

If anyone's gone through or is going through something similar, I highly recommend "The Noonday Demon." It captures much of the subjective experience of someone going through a depression, and how weird and frustrating the experience can be for everyone involved. https://www.amazon.com/Noonday-Demon-Atlas-Depression/dp/150...

If you are struggling with self-worth, please read very carefully the posts of people who actually knew Chris Seaton. People value him by how much of himself and his time he was willing to give to others, not by some absolute measure of his skill. This is a capacity everyone has.

In fact, you probably have touched someone (if unknowingly) in a similar manner. People who decide to go, very very often leave behind a heart shattered to pieces - unknowingly.

In the US, dialing 988 will also get you access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (Technically it is now the 988 Lifeline, but they both refer to the same thing[1].)

1: https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/

Support services for other countries below.

https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mental_health_resources

You can also dial or text 988 in the US.

https://988lifeline.org/

In the UK the Samaritans how have a short number 116 123.

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