On December 20th, the Young Adult community woke up to shocking reports that YA author Ned Vizzini had died the evening before.  Authors, agents, and readers came together in somber denial on Twitter–where the news first broke.  Many hoped and begged for evidence that it was all an elaborate hoax; it wouldn’t have been the first on the microblogging site (Jackie Chan alone was the victim of multiple death hoaxes in 2013.)

Finally, with Ned’s brother Daniel confirming, the ripple of Ned’s tragic death began to spread far and wide.  Over the next week, memorials, tributes, and essays to Ned’s memory made clear the very real reach he had had in life: as a friend, author, screenwriter, speaker, and as a husband and father.   Bloggers are still collecting their thoughts and more essays are posted daily.  Some of Ned’s closest friends have commented that they’re still working out their feelings, that it might take months or years before they can properly express how he affected them.

Major news outlets and famous author and film friends offered their own memorials, while many more flooded his facebook wall as a living tribute.  HarperCollins Publishing, which published “The Other Normals” (2012) and “House of Secrets” (2013), even took out a newspaper ad commemorating the “fearless author and beloved friend”.

Longtime fans of Ned’s work will remember him as the teenage writer behind “Teen Angst? Naaah…” and later “Be More Chill”.  By far his most famous and lauded work, however, is the lightly comedic and semi-autobiographical 2006 novel “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”, written in the weeks after Ned briefly checked himself into a psychiatric hospital to seek treatment for depression in 2004.

It is that very issue–bringing awareness of mental health issues like depression–that Ned often visited schools to speak about with teenagers.  And it is that devastating illness that ultimately claimed the life of the 32-year-old Brooklyn native this past holiday season.

In the wake of this unexpected final chapter in Ned Vizzini’s life, he leaves behind a legacy whose torch other authors, writers, and readers are called upon to continue themselves.

When Ned’s “Funny Story” was first published, he spoke from a place of personal understanding.  He was not there to judge or beg approval for his actions and feelings.  He gave a face and a voice to young people who suffered as he did, and they took solace in the pulsing “live, live, live” message.

Readers the world over have and will continue to benefit from reading about 15-year-old protagonist Craig–and therefore author Ned–and the realistic portrayal of such mental health topics.  With more authors talking and writing about depression, suicide, and other mental illnesses and disorders, the conversation is growing but it is far from over.  Last year, the YA category saw such additions as Evan Roskos’ “Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets” (anxiety and depression, therapy), Matthew Quick’s “OCD, The Dude, and Me” (OCD, body-image issues, therapy), and Edward Averett’s “Cameron & The Girls” (schizophreniform disorder, medication) just to name a few.  There will always be the need for more novels on teen shelves respectfully and openly involving protagonists and secondary characters living with mental health issues.

It will always be important for teens, young adults, and adults to speak up about their own mental health.  Ned did, and often.  But depression is insidious in the lies it tells its victims.   “No one really cares to hear about my problems.”  “I’m just a burden.”  “My loved ones would be better off without me bringing them down.”  These damaging thoughts and others that invade the mind, filling up the parts that have goals and hopes for the future, that love life and their friends, their parents and siblings, their spouse and children.

Growing up, “it” does get better but depression doesn’t magically stops hurting.  Depression cares not for time, age, or maturity.  It is vital to remember that today’s teens are tomorrow’s young adults and adults.  Though old fears and rejections may fade in potency, they can return as crippling nostalgia–even while new anxieties surface.  Large and small failures or a perceived lack of success by a certain age can be paralyzing.  The pressure can be intense to repeat or exceed past accomplishments, more so if the world has been watching since high school, awaiting the “grand things” they predicted for the future.  Couple that with the responsibilities of adulthood in a present where the previously learned landscape of expectations has shifted so completely and it becomes clear how depression can make the strong vulnerable.

A teenage Ned Vizzini suffered in silence until something gave.  He sought help–through hospitalization and then reaching out to others through his writing and speaking engagements.  His loved ones were there for him through the ups and downs.  Ned was a successful author and screenwriter, a loving husband and father, cherished son and brother, and a thoughtful and humorous friend.  He will be missed, but it would serve his memory to remember: just because someone is doing well, has people to talk to, and is a success in their chosen fields, it does not mean they are doing well, can talk about it, or feel like they have succeeded.

If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, are thinking about hurting yourself or others, or shows signs of being suicidal, please consider talking to a counselor at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  You can call any time of day or night.  It’s free and confidential.  The number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Olivia Hennis spent several years occasionally corresponding with a very excited Ned before and after his “Funny Story” was first published.  Though it has been a few years since they spoke, his death still struck her as a long time reader and casual writing friend. She will never stop recommending IKoaFS to friends and loved ones.  To learn more about Olivia, follow her on Twitter @OliviaHennis.