NIKKI SIXX: I Want To Compliment GENE SIMMONS For Publicly Apologizing

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx has posted the following message on his Facebook page:

"I wanted to take a moment to address the media that's been picked up by everybody from Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, NME, Billboard and many more around Gene Simmons' comments telling depressed people to kill themselves. I also want to address and compliment Gene for publicly apologizing. That was 100% the right thing to do.

"This has turned into a bit of an anti-Gene Simmons bashathon and I don't condone that nor do I support that radio stations across the country who are banning KISS (the guys in the band didn't do anything). Gene said something that has been addressed and maybe in a moment of bravado he was just being cocksure and pompous?

"Out of everything in my life that's has gone array either from my own actions or others', I try to learn a lesson. There is good in everything.

"What I know is this: When people are listening, we have an opportunity to pass along some valuable and positive information.

"Since I have had my own struggle with addiction and depression, I have been exposed to both sides of the process. It's not as simple as we are lowly addicts or morally incapable of pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, doing the right thing or just snapping out of it. The process involves hard work and hopefully some form of a support team (family, friends, etc.) around you. That could mean therapy, rehab, 12-step programs or sometimes even medication. It's better than the alternative. Trust me.

"So here are some stats I pulled for the uneducated and for anybody needing to know you're not alone. (See below.)

"Thanks for being proactive in bringing awareness."

Depression stats

* 14.8 million American adults (6.7%) are affected by a major depressive disorder each year

* 1 in 10 Americans are affected by depression at one point in their life.

* Women are twice as likely to have depression and symptoms of depression

* People aged 45-64 have the highest percentage rate for depression. (4.6%)
* The most common age to start developing symptoms of depression is 32.

Suicide

* Depression is the cause of over two-thirds of reported suicides each year (20,000 a year)
* For every 2 homicides in the U.S., there are 3 suicides.
* Untreated depression is the #1 risk for suicide among youth.
* The death rate from suicide is higher than chronic liver disease, Alzheimer's, murder or hypertension.

Treatment

* 80% of people that have symptoms of clinical depression are not receiving any treatment
* The number of patients diagnosed with depression increases by about 20% each year.
* 60-80% of all depression cases can be effectively treated with therapy and medication.
* Depression causes $70 billion in medical costs and lost productivity each year.

In an interview that Simmons gave to SongFacts.com late last month, he was asked if he still got along with original KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. He replied: "I don't get along with anybody who's a drug addict and has a dark cloud over their head and sees themselves as a victim.

"Drug addicts and alcoholics are always: 'The world is a harsh place.' My mother was in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany. I don't want to hear fuck-all about 'the world is a harsh place.' She gets up every day, smells the roses and loves life. And for a putz, 20-year-old kid to say, 'I'm depressed, I live in Seattle.' Fuck you, then kill yourself.

"I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I'm the guy who says 'Jump!' when there's a guy on top of a building who says, 'That's it, I can't take it anymore, I'm going to jump.'

"Are you kidding? Why are you announcing it? Shut the fuck up, have some dignity and jump! You've got the crowd.

"By the way, you walk up to the same guy on a ledge who threatens to jump and put a gun to his head, 'I'm going to blow your fuckin' head off!' He'll go, 'Please don't!' It's true. He's not that insane."

Simmons has since been widely criticized for his comments by a number of fans and fellow musicians, including Sixx, who said: "Gene is basically saying he has no sympathy for drug addicts or people who are depressed. I'm a recovering drug addict. If I had done what Gene Simmons said and that is to jump, so many wonderful things would have not happened in my life…. I like Gene, but in this situation, I don't like Gene. I don't like Gene's words, because … there is a 20-year-old kid out there who is a KISS fan and reads this and goes, 'You know what? He's right. I should just kill myself.'"

On Friday (August 15),Simmons released a statement clarifying his position on depression. He wrote: "Depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones.

"I have not commented on various allegations made in the media, but I want to make this statement for the record and to clarify.

"I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.

"I have never sugarcoated my feelings regarding drug use and alcoholics.

"Somewhere along the line, my intentions in speaking very directly and perhaps politically incorrectly about drug use and alcoholics have been misconstrued as vile commentary on depression.

"Unkind statements about depression was certainly never my intention.

"And I do not intend to defend myself here and now by listing the myriad charities and self-help organizations I am involved with.

"This is not about me. This is about clearing up misconceptions and being clear. My heart goes out to anyone suffering from depression."