39adamstrand:In December 1990, 42-year-old Margot Kidder was seriously injured in a car accident on

39adamstrand:

In December 1990, 42-year-old Margot Kidder was seriously injured in a car accident on the set of the television series Nancy Drew and Daughter which left her partially paralyzed. She was unable to work for the next 2 years, resulting in significant financial difficulties (she reportedly went nearly $1 million in debt),

Kidder had been diagnosed as bipolar in 1988, and the accident, lack of work, and financial stress (and her refusal to take medication) exacerbated her mental health issues. In 1996, Kidder disappeared for 4 days while having a manic episode and was placed in psychiatric care, where Kidder said she was finally able to “accept the diagnosis.”

Kidder continued to be public about her diagnosis and progress and in 2001 she was awarded the Courage in Mental Health Award from the California Women’s Mental Health Policy Council for her “public dialogue on mental illness.”

On 13 May 2018, the 69-year-old ended her life by overdose.