Gary Speed

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What a tragic loss to his family, to football and, by all accounts, to the diminishing pool of genuinely nice people who are role models for the young.

Having watched him on the BBC on Saturday it seems utterly incomprehensible that a depression could have overtaken him so profoundly within 24 hours that he felt compelled to end his life. The "authorities" need to get to the bottom of this case and see what lessons there are to be learned. Not just for the sake of his poor family but for the sake of a decent and compassionate society as a whole.

Human beings are very good at hiding feelings.
 
As I see it, over the 12 or so hours it took for Gary Speed to go from being an optimistic person on Saturday's Football Focus to committing suicide is down to extreme personal circumstances, given that the Police declared there was nothing suspicious in the death. This tells me they either know why he killed himself or have a bloody good idea. You can point to two things. One, and I'll get it over quickly, ie. look it up for yourself: he suffered the same death as actor David Carradine. Enough of that - it's just a possibility. Two, he was with his wife and family during those 12 hours and a great deal can happen to a person, purely between a husband and wife, over that time. Although it may send our brains into a spin at the thought, I don't doubt Gary Speed could have been sent tumbling in that time. Enough to commit suicide is possibly another matter. But then again, I'm not that man. However, I know what it is like to walk though the front door with a happy optimistic outlook and 10 minutes later feeling like there is nothing left to live for.
 
As I see it, over the 12 or so hours it took for Gary Speed to go from being an optimistic person on Saturday's Football Focus to committing suicide is down to extreme personal circumstances, given that the Police declared there was nothing suspicious in the death. This tells me they either know why he killed himself or have a bloody good idea. You can point to two things. One, and I'll get it over quickly, ie. look it up for yourself: he suffered the same death as actor David Carradine. Enough of that - it's just a possibility. Two, he was with his wife and family during those 12 hours and a great deal can happen to a person, purely between a husband and wife, over that time. Although it may send our brains into a spin at the thought, I don't doubt Gary Speed could have been sent tumbling in that time. Enough to commit suicide is possibly another matter. But then again, I'm not that man. However, I know what it is like to walk though the front door with a happy optimistic outlook and 10 minutes later feeling like there is nothing left to live for.
The Football Focus thing could all have been a front, he could have been a very unhappy man anyways.
 
Often people who suffer from depression only show it in the presence of nothing but their own thoughts. As someone has previously stated; humans are very good at hiding emotions. Some more so than others.
 
I don't believe that for a second. I know footballers are a pretty dumb bunch, on the whole, but countless friends said he didn't betray any lack of happiness and optimism to them.

Yes but how did they know what was going on inside his head?. As saintsforthewin said human beings are very good ar hiding feelings. Some feelings only show themselfs when your alone to yourself.
 
Yes but how did they know what was going on inside his head?. As saintsforthewin said human beings are very good ar hiding feelings. Some feelings only show themselfs when your alone to yourself.

I'm not saying he's wrong generally, I'm saying I don't agree in this specific case. Anyway, the inquest is tomorrow, I believe. That'll provide a pointer.
 
I have had two major lows in my life, including one bout of depression, but I was best at work. No one knew because the last thing I wanted to do was take it to work where I had some respite, but the nights were terrible. Luckily, in my case, the depression had a cause which means it will end. Some people are depressed without apparent cause due to chemical changes in the brain. They feel a sense of shame and sometimes don't seek the help they need. Let's hope this makes even a few sufferers seek help.
 
As I see it, over the 12 or so hours it took for Gary Speed to go from being an optimistic person on Saturday's Football Focus to committing suicide is down to extreme personal circumstances, given that the Police declared there was nothing suspicious in the death. This tells me they either know why he killed himself or have a bloody good idea. You can point to two things. One, and I'll get it over quickly, ie. look it up for yourself: he suffered the same death as actor David Carradine. Enough of that - it's just a possibility. Two, he was with his wife and family during those 12 hours and a great deal can happen to a person, purely between a husband and wife, over that time. Although it may send our brains into a spin at the thought, I don't doubt Gary Speed could have been sent tumbling in that time. Enough to commit suicide is possibly another matter. But then again, I'm not that man. However, I know what it is like to walk though the front door with a happy optimistic outlook and 10 minutes later feeling like there is nothing left to live for.

It's a shame that I could actually believe this... nobody said they had any idea he was depressed so an accident could be a possibility. I don't know if that way is better than choosing to die, though.
 
If he did this on the Saturday night, and was only discovered on Sunday morning, then alcohol may have been a contributing factor.
 
Daily Star's headline today is "we may never know why".

If they really did have a story, then it looks like they're quickly brushing it under the carpet.