Youtuber Acid after Kastiop’s death: ‘Mental problems are …

Youtuber Acid, alias of Nathan Vandergunst, wants to discuss suicide after the death of his colleague Kastiop in a video entitled ‘Rest in Peace’. ‘Just because you’re doing a good job doesn’t mean you can’t be depressed. Or that you shouldn’t have dark thoughts. ‘

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Vandergunst reacts very modestly to the suicide of the Flemish Youtuber Kastiop, the alias of 22-year-old Hasselaar, Kacper Przybylski (22). His body was found this weekend in the Dutch village of Stein. Vandergunst uses this tragic event to talk about mental problems in these dark times. “Mental problems are real,” he says. “It’s not easy for people to talk about your problems,” he says in the nine-minute video that is uninterrupted by commercials. He reminisces about Kastiop, but also promises to make many videos himself during the lockdown. “We’re going to get through this together,” he says. “I’m going to try to make you happy and to make you laugh.”

This summer, Acid caused controversy by arguing online with another Youtube duo CeMi (Céline Dept in Michiel Callebaut, red.), but he makes an impression with this video. “He hits the right note,” says Kirsten Pauwels of the Center for the Prevention of Suicide. He doesn’t minimize the problems, but suggests seeking distraction. People with suicidal thoughts should talk about it – as Acid points out, it’s not easy – and seek help, but it’s also good at these times to be distracted and have fun doing things. Vulnerable young people do not remain in their dark thoughts all the time. Acids followers belong to a target group where copycat behavior is a real risk. Teens who are losing an idol to suicide and who have had a hard time can think, “ah, if it was a solution for him, it could be that for me too.” That is why this is a good initiative from Acid. He is also a lot closer to those young people than the experts – although we would emphasize even more the message that suicide is not the solution. They look at this: his message reaches them. ‘

Anyone who has questions about suicide or needs a conversation, can contact the Suicide Line on the free number 1813 or on www.zelfmoord1813.be.

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