Bad Saddies

'Bad Saddies' is a term I first heard during my time in Florida.  Every time we had to say goodbye to our friends and the tears would start to flow, we would tell each other 'no bad saddies' because we would see each other again eventually.  It was a reminder not to dwell on the sad goodbye, but the great times we had together and all those to come.  I couldn't tell you who came up with the term, but it's one of those things that has stuck with me even though the years have passed and most people in my everyday life have no idea what it means.

It's one of the things that came to mind tonight as I read reports about the sudden death of Rick Rypien.  Through six years with the Vancouver Canucks, Rick had his share of ups and downs on the ice, but it was his struggles off the ice that really caught people's attention.  Extended leaves of absence from the team, an altercation with a fan in Minnesota, and his battles with personal demons seemed to be behind Rypien as he returned to hockey this past spring with the Manitoba Moose.

Even though he signed on to play with the Winnipeg Jets next season, many fans wished him well and he seemed genuinely excited to continue his career in Manitoba.  With things looking up for Rick, his death comes as a shock, and the rumors of suicide have already begun to swirl especially with his history, and the fact that another NHLer was lost this year with the death of Derek Boogaard, after an accidental overdose of alcohol and oxycodone. 

I won't pretend to understand what it's like to battle a mental illness like depression.  There is no way of knowing how difficult it is to go through the simple motions of getting through the days with the oppressive weight of hopelessness pressing down on you at every moment.  Mental illness is best understood by those who have suffered through and overcome them.

I haven't been there, so I can't say how it feels or what you go through.  What I do know is what it feels like to see someone struggle with depression.  I've felt the helplessness of being unable to do anything but offer support when you can.  I know the pain of losing a friend who wasn't able to overcome depression.  I've experienced the bitterness of thinking I should've done more.

In the end, we can look at the reasons why someone may have chosen to end their life, but what we should really be looking at are ways we can prevent others from making that same choice.  There are organizations you can support on local, national, and even global levels; from suicide prevention hot lines, to mental health advocacy groups.  All it takes is a bit of time, something the Rypien family probably wishes they had more of with Rick. 

Memorial outside Rogers Arena
(Photo from the Vancouver Sun)

***UPDATE

I just wanted to share some links to great articles written about Rick and the issues we should be focusing on in light of his death.

RIP Ryp by Dan Murphy
Vancouver Won't Forget You by Head to the Net
Rick Rypien will be Missed and Mourned by Pass it to Bulis
Hockey Realities by Jason Gregor
Rypien Never Easy to Read by Tony Gallagher
The Elephant in the Room by Trevor Presiloski