Country music singer and former Celebrity Rehab patient Mindy McCready died on Sunday of an apparent suicide. The thirty-seven-year-old mother had a long history of mental health problems and substance abuse. Her boyfriend killed himself less than a month ago.
Mindy is the fifth Celebrity Rehab participant to die since appearing on the reality show, and she is the third from her season. Despite the turmoil endured by several of his patients, Dr. Drew Pinsky still believes that the show can be successful if the participants maintain treatment.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mindy's family and friends.
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Speaking with People, Dr. Drew shares, "I am deeply saddened by this awful news. My heart goes out to Mindy's family and children. She is a lovely woman who will be missed by many. Although I have not treated her for a few years, I had reached out to her recently upon hearing about the apparent suicide of her boyfriend and father of her younger children. She was devastated."
He adds, "Although she was fearful of stigma and ridicule she agreed with me that she needed to make her health and safety a priority. Unfortunately it seems that Mindy did not sustain her treatment."
Other Celebrity Rehab deaths include the Real World: Hollywood's Joey Kovar who passed away in August, as well as Mike Starr of Alice in Chains. Both men died of overdoses and appeared on Mindy's season of the show. Actor Jeff Conway and Rodney King have also died since seeking help on Celebrity Rehab.
Drew continues, "Mental health issues can be life threatening and need to be treated with the same intensity and resources as any other dangerous potentially life threatening medical condition. Treatment is effective. If someone you know is suffering please be sure he or she gets help and maintains treatment."
What a sad, sad story. Again, our thoughts are with Mindy's loved ones.
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Photo Credit: Judy Eddy/Wenn.com
