A man who lost his wife to suicide has shared the 'biggest sign' that he missed in her final week.
In 2015, Brandy Zink, from Boise, Idaho, tragically took her own life at age 34, and now, her spouse, Eric, has opened up about the one change that occurred in her before her death that he wished he didn't overlook.
In a video shared to his TikTok account last month, Eric, 43, explained that there was a drastic shift to her mood in the days prior to her death by suicide.
He told his followers that she suddenly became 'happy' after being 'extremely depressed' for a while - and that while at the time he figured that she was getting better, he now believed it was because she had made the 'decision to end it all.'
'The biggest sign that I missed that my wife was gonna commit suicide and take her life was that she was happy,' he shared in the clip, which has been viewed more than 34,000 times.
A man who lost his wife to suicide has shared the heartbreaking 'biggest sign' that he missed in her final week
In 2015, Brandy Zink, from Idaho, took her own life at age 34, and now, her spouse, Eric, has opened up about the one change that occurred in her before her death. They're seen in 2010
'My wife went from being extremely depressed Brandy to all of a sudden being happy, being at peace with life, and finding joy in life.'
He said he thought her unexpected 'surge' of 'excitement' about life was a good sign.
'You think they have slept off their depression or something. But in reality, they have made a decision in their mind to end it all,' he continued.
'That's the struggle with depression... We get so isolated that we feel like we're broken, damaged, invisible.'
Eric ended his video with a message to any others who may be 'struggling.'
'For anyone out there struggling right now, you are an amazing human being - you're a bada**,' he said.
'You made it through 100 per cent of your worst days. I'm proud of you for being here right now.'
He also encouraged people to 'reach out' to their loved ones if they need help.
'Believe me, you are loved and you are wanted here,' he concluded.
In a second video about the topic shared back in April, Eric, who admitted that he himself attempted suicide in 2018, explained that 'everything changed' with Brandy 'in the last week of her life' despite her not doing anything differently.
'She didn't go to therapy, she didn't get a new therapist or do any of that. She didn't change any meds or quit drinking or smoking,' he revealed.
'She didn't change anything in her life at all but all of a sudden she had a positive outlook. She had a plan, she was motivated.
'Everything was good and I bought into that. I was like, "Oh my God my wife is happy this is the human I've missed."'
'It's the scariest thing when you look back and realize that was literally the point that [she] gave up.
'They're happy and excited because they know the pain is gonna end. It's not that they cure depression at all, they have given into it.'
The Idaho native, who has since remarried, is extremely outspoken about his wife's passing online in the hopes of ending the stigma surrounding mental illness.
While at the time he figured that she was getting better, Eric (seen with his new wife) said he now believed it was because she had made the 'decision to end it all'
Many people took to the comment section of Eric's video to thank him for his openness
'I like to share my story so people know they aren't alone and there is a light at the end of the deep dark tunnel,' he told Newsweek recently.
Eric explained to the publication that Brandy 'struggled with childhood trauma' and 'sexual assault and abuse most of her life.'
'She was an alcoholic and struggled with addiction. We had tried therapy a few times, but she would fall right back into old habits,' he added.
Many people took to the comment section of Eric's videos to thank him for his openness.
'Please continue with these videos, I've struggled with this daily for over 30 years,' one person wrote.
Another simply added, 'Needed this.'
'As a therapist this is the number one sign we are taught to look for, happiness and peace,' shared someone else.
'So sorry for your loss. Thankyou for making others aware,' read a fourth comment.
A fifth said, 'You are a huge help for a lot of people man, love you for real.'
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can reach Samaritans NYC at 212-673-3000 or the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
For confidential assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988 or click here.
