Rapper, celebrity and local music industry icon, famously known as Riky Rick, took his life in February this year. In his last letter to his wife, Bianca Naidoo, he writes: “The pain is too much. I don’t want you to blame yourself for my life being unbearable…The voices in my head have never gone away. I wish I was stronger but I am not. Please forgive me…I cannot take the pain. I love you.”
The news spread like fire across social media with posts streaming in from a shocked and saddened community. In a final video posted on Twitter of his last stage appearance he announces his final goodbye to his fans by saying: “I’m about to be out, but if you never see or hear from me again, I want you to remember that you have to take care of the people that are close to you.”
A ripple effect followed when Gospel singer, Dumi Mkokstad, tweeted “Riky Rik I understand because I have been there and was on the verge of committing suicide myself. Therefore I can never judge anyone who ends up taking their own life because I know exactly what they’re facing.” Dumi later clarified his statement by saying he had taken the opportunity to support others battling depression. And more and more followed after him, sharing the love and bringing to light the reality of so many suffering in silence.
Riky Rik was 34, a husband and father. He had talent and found success. None of that mattered. Neither did his over 2.5 million friends on Facebook or his 2.1 million followers on Instagram. All the world is a stage and the mixed blessing of social media needs to be addressed when it comes to societal issues. Mental illness is real and rife in our communities. We need to stop pretending it doesn’t exist and remove the fear when it does. Before it’s too late.
For the past decade, the mindless scrolling and crossing over to countless feeds has become insanely addictive. This excessive use of social media is proving to be a destructive habit when it comes to our collective psychology. In the instant connection to our devices, we have become disconnected from each other. It’s not just lonely, but a tool that encourages withdrawal, envy, judgement, jealousy and comparisons. On top of all that, our dependence/addiction to our devices is also fuelling massive anxiety.
Studies show that what you post to the world and what you’re really going through is often very skewed and people, teenagers especially, are struggling to integrate their online personas to their actual ones. It doesn’t matter how many friends you have on Facebook, real social – not virtual – interaction is what humans require. The lack thereof is a fast-tracking path to less moment-to-moment joy which tends to trigger sadness and feelings of dissatisfaction.
On the flip side of the coin, our online world is a shared space, open to all – not just for our heroes to speak up and lead the way by relaying their worries in real-time. But for us everyday folk to realize we are not in it alone, to reach out, be heard, and find the courage to seek help.
Reach out to Nikki Munitz for professional help TODAY
083 600 8225consulting@nikkimunitz.co.za
