I did not know A. Hunter White personally, but based on the amount of love being shown him on social media, I wish I had gotten to know him.
It’s always sad when anyone dies suddenly and at such a young age, as White did at 36 two weeks ago. Reading the dozens and dozens of memories and heartfelt farewells from so many people has been tough because so many people that we both knew are hurting.
Barry CourterIn addition to sharing their memories online, and at JJ’s Bohemia last Friday night where Dan “Danimal” Pinson decided to forgo his scheduled performance and instead turned it into a wake for White, lots of White’s friends and colleagues have been asking what they could have done to have helped White and perhaps prevent his death.
Most, if not all, have expressed their sadness and disbelief that someone who seemed so happy and jovial would take their own life, and they have used social media to reach out to anyone else looking for a friendly ear or a helping hand.
A conversation was started online over the weekend about looking for ways to offer professional help to people who fall under the “creatives” label. Musicians and artists in particular. These people are no different than anyone else when it comes to physical or mental needs, but they are often independent contractors without access to the type of quality health care someone who works full-time at a company might have.