Tragically, Billy Miller’s loss is yet another example of the insidiousness of mental health issues. According to the National Institutes of Health, bipolar disorder affects nearly 3 percent of all adults in any given year, and nearly 83 percent of those cases are classified as “serious impairment.” The Journal of Clinical Psychology adds an even more alarming statistic: up to 50 percent of persons with bipolar disorder attempt to take their own lives. However, sufferers like Miller can be skilled at masking their feelings and intentions. This makes it harder for their loved ones to pick up on signals of distress — and often leads to “what if?” guilt. 

Elizabeth Hendrickson, who co-starred with Miller on “The Young & the Restless,” shared Miller’s last text to her, a note of encouragement that any friend might offer. On what would have been Miller’s 44th birthday, Hendrickson posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram saying, in part, “I’m sad and yes, mad at myself that I wasn’t being a better friend, checking in more often.”

Fans echoed the sentiment. One tweeted, “It’s hard to believe someone with such a beautiful smile was struggling so deeply.” Another added, “He won over and over and over again, in every single battle up until now. It’s not fair that it only takes one loss for the disease to take so much from anyone.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.