It is with a deeply heavy heart that we report the news that director Zack Snyder is stepping away from his work on Justice League following the revelation that his 20-year-old daughter, Autumn Snyder, died by suicide in March of this year. Joss Whedon will step in to finish post-production and directing a few remaining scenes. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Snyder family.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder details the tragic circumstances that led to leaving the project and his decision to exit the remaining post-production process after an initial attempt to continue business as usual.

“In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was way through it,” explained Snyder to THR. “The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all consuming. And in the last two months I’ve come to the realization …I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.”

The admission that Snyder is having a hard time is a powerful one, given our nation’s fear and anxiety when it comes to talking about mental healthcare. The shame that comes from feeling the effects of mental illness is so powerful that it often keeps these discussions in the dark, making a solitary pain all the more isolating. The simple act of declaring the reality of his situation paves the way for further, more public conversation regarding how we look at mental health in this country, and the seriousness with which it should be handled. We commend Snyder for his bravery in the midst of a tragic and life-changing occurrence.

While Snyder and his family are taking time away to care for themselves and their other children, it’s important to note that help is out there for people who feel lost in their own depression and mental health issues. If you or someone you know are feeling this way, there are people you can talk to, a few of which we’ve listed below:

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline (1-800-273-8255) available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. There is also a 24-hour an Online Chat option available.
• Crisis Text Line is a 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline. Text TALK to 741-741.
• HopeLine is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline that can be called or texted. They operate by using active listening to support and reflect through any kind of crisis, even if not suicide related.
• The Trevor Project is a nationwide organization that provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and there are people out here who want to help.

Image: Warner Bros.