I was in the process of writing my Mellow Monday piece last night when I found out some troubling and sad news. Jonghyun from KPop band SHINee had died.

I won’t make this a post about how I feel and how sad I am because that becomes obsolete in the grand scheme of things. His family and brothers are mourning.

I wanted to touch on something I feel is important.

Depression, amongst other non visible illnesses, is as I said an illness. It isn’t something people can switch on an off. It isn’t a party trick or something you can contract. It is a serious condition in which many people fall victim too. There isn’t a store bought cure.

Anyone can have depression, the richest of men to the poorest. It has no target. Everyone is susceptible.

We should never play down someone’s illness. Just because it isn’t a physical blemish or easily noticeable. It does not mean it doesn’t exist.

It comes in variant shapes, sizes and has different ways of latching on.

We should all take a moment to think about who or what makes us proud. It can be a relative, a friend, someone you work with, even your favourite singer or actor.

Never expect someone to know that you are proud of them. Take the time to show praise and love where it is due.

Fame and money does not leave you free from this horrible illness.

Out of respect I will not divulge details regarding his death. But I will note something.

Jonghyun, I know that overtime I grew apart from you, your group and the music you all produced. But that never meant I was not proud, as a fan, of your achievements. You were my first bias, the first vocalist I could pick out from a song because your voice was so unique. I remember watching Hello Baby and seeing how humble and just incredible you were.

May you rest in eternal peace and know we are all very proud of you now and forever.

I won’t be posting until the new year now.

Please read what I said and absorb it’s meaning. If you find this post and need someone to talk to my doors are always open to anyone.

Eli.