‘Y&R’ Billy Miller Suicide Triggers Mental Health Talks

Young and the Restless star Billy Miller died by suicide after succumbing to a longtime battle with bipolar depression. Immediately following his death there were rumors that he died from a disease. However, his mother later confirmed that was not the case and the beloved actor had taken his own life. He died just days before his 44th birthday. Now, the shock of Billy’s passing has prompted a lot of talk about mental health and the diseases associated with it. Keep reading to find out more.

Billy Miller died by suicide, triggering mental health advocacy

Billy Miller played Billy Abbott for years on The Young and the Restless. He went on to also play a part in General Hospital. Everywhere he went he was loved by both fans and colleagues. Now that he ultimately took his own life by suicide after enduring bipolar depression for many years, everyone is talking about mental health.

Born on September 17, 1979, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Miller grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas. He passed away on September 15, 2023.

After rumors circulated about the cause of death, his mother spoke out and said, “He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease. He loved his family, his friends, and his fans but in the end, the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life.”

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What is bipolar depression?

Lately, it seems suicide has been predominant and taken the lives of many far too soon. Nearly 3% of adults suffer from bipolar disorder. In 2022 the CDC shared that almost 50,000 Americans died by suicide which is a record high.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, bipolar disorder which is formerly known as manic depression is a “lifelong mood disorder and mental health condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior. These shifts can last for hours, days, weeks or months and interrupt your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.”

It’s also noted that those with bipolar disorder may also suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and may struggle with drug or alcohol abuse or eating disorders.

Billy Miller-YouTube

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans or about 2.6% of the U.S. population.

After Billy’s death, more and more celebrities are seeing the effects of what mental illness can do to someone. Maurice Benard is a huge advocate for mental health and suffers from bipolar disorder himself.

In a recent video, Maurice said,

When I hear about a suicide. I don’t know what it is in me, I feel like I could have done something about it… even though I probably couldn’t. I don’t know how to fix it. We have to figure it out. Because look — we only hear about the celebrities that commit suicide. We don’t hear about all the other people that you know, that I know. The only way that I know how to fix it… it by what I’m doing here. And that’s talking… bringing awareness.

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If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crisis please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.