‘You are not alone’: Kevin Spacey shares annual Christmas video urging anyone contemplating suicide to seek help
‘It does get better,’ the disgraced actor continues in two-and-a-half-minute video
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Your support makes all the difference.Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey shared a new holiday video on Christmas Eve urging anyone who has struggled with suicidal ideas or mental health difficulties to seek help.
"What would Christmas Eve be without a message from me?," Spacey asked.
Sitting on a park bench, the actor spoke for a little over two minutes about those who have reached out to him and "shared their own struggles" with suicidal ideas.
"My ability to be there for them has really only been possible because of my own difficulties," he said. "And while it's been a privilege to offer support, I have to say it's also been beyond my abilities and it's bigger than me. Because, heartbreakingly, so many have talked about things gotten so bad for them that they contemplated taking their own lives. And that's enough for me to want to take an entirely different approach this year, to acknowledge their pain. And say to anyone out there that's struggling or contemplating that idea, please, please do not take that step.
Read More: Kevin Spacey compares his downfall to people struggling in pandemic in newly surfaced video
“If you're standing in a place that you can no longer remain standing, if you're suffering, if you need help, if you feel guilt or shame, if you're struggling with your identity, if your back's up against the wall, or if you feel that there is no path for you, whatever your situation, I promise you there is a path.”
He added: "At this time, during this holiday, and beyond, even if you don't feel it, there are people out there who understand and who can help. Because you are not alone. And so I just want to wish everyone a merry Christmas, a great 2021, and say to those out there who might be suffering, it gets better. It does get better. Happy holidays, everyone."
The two-time Oscar winner was hit with multiple allegations of sexual assault between 2017 and 2018, initially by the actor Anthony Rapp, and then by more than 30 individuals. The assault allegations ranged from harassment to attempted rape.
Every Christmas since 2018, Spacey has released cryptic video messages, with last year's being him channeling his House of Cards character Frank Underwood.
This year's video ends with numbers for the Suicide Prevention and Substance Abuse Mental Health hotlines.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support: www.rapecrisis.org.uk.
In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.
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