On July 5, CoCo Lee, a Hong Kong-born singer known for being the voice behind Disney's Mulan, the Oscar-nominated theme song of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and many Mandopop hits, died at the age of 48 following a suicide attempt at home. According to a statement posted by her sisters, Nancy and Carol Lee, on social media, the cause of her suicide was depression. The news came as a shock to her fans and fellow artists, who remember her not only for her vocal prowess, but also for her confident image and exuberance on stage.

The diva's death sparked a nationwide discussion about depression, a hidden epidemic across the globe that has taken many lives. This time, the discussion centers on the concept of smiling depression, a type of depression with which Lee reportedly struggled. The term describes an individual who suffers from depression on the inside but looks and acts happy. Due to its lack of outward symptoms, this form of depression often goes undetected.

Hopefully, the singer's tragic loss will galvanize awareness about this hidden disease and the importance of help. Sometimes, small acts of kindness can make huge differences.

(Rednet.cn, July 7)