May Karel rest in peace.
CZECH – Team Vitality player Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener has passed away at the age of 19, the organization confirmed today. In what now stands as his final message to the world, Twisten bid farewell on the evening of June 6 with a simple yet profound tweet: “Good night.”
“We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and our first thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family in this difficult time. The whole Team Vitality organization is devastated by this news, and we will be stopping communication for the rest of the day. Rest in peace, Karel.”
In a follow-up tweet, Team Vitality spoke about the significance of mental health and offered encouragement to those facing difficulties, urging them to reach out for support.
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Twisten joined Team Vitality in November 2022 and has up until his death played a significant role in the team’s VCT EMEA campaign, averaging a team-high VLR rating with multiple duelist agents, mainly Jett.
Beyond the EMEA region, Twisten gained recognition for his pledge to donate €25 for every kill made with a shorty at the VCT LOCK//IN tournament. As a result of 58 shorty kills in São Paulo, he donated €1450 to Hunderettung Europa, a non-profit animal welfare association.
However, beneath his outward success and charitable acts, Twisten privately battled with depression. In February, he revealed his ongoing struggle with mental health, acknowledging that he had previously sought help by spending time in a hospital due to self-harming behavior. “Take care of yourself, and if you’re experiencing something like I did, don’t be scared to reach out to your close friends, your family or your team.”
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Karel’s family during this difficult time, and we invite everyone to do the same.
May he rest in peace.
For those who find themselves or someone they know in mental distress, there are hotlines available to provide support, guidance, and a compassionate ear to listen. Here are some resources you can reach out to:
- Singapore
- Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours), 1-767 (24 hours)
- Malaysia
- National Council of Befrienders Malaysia: 603-79568145
- Life Line Association Malaysia: 016 613 1495
- Philippines
- National Center for Mental Health: 0917-899-USAP (8727), (02) 7-989-USAP, 1553
- Mood Harmony: (02) 8844-2941
- Indonesia
- LISA Suicide Prevention Helpline: (62) 811 3855 472
- Kementerian Kesehatan: 500-454
- Thailand
- The Samaritans of Thailand: (02) 713 6793, (02) 713-679
- Department of Mental Health Hotline: 1323
- Vietnam
- Didi Hirsch Torture Crisis Line: 877-727-4747
- Vietnam Emergency Hotline: 113
- South Korea
- 중앙자살예방센터 (Korea Suicide Prevention Centre): (82) 2 2203 0053
- Love-Line (Sarang – Jonwha) Counselling Centre (2) 715 8600
- Japan
- Inochi no Denwa Suicide Hotline: 03-6634-2556
- 岩手自殺防止センター: 019-621-9090
- India
- Multiple regional services are available. The best directory we know is from AASRA – http://www.aasra.info/helpline.html
- Australia
- All Hours Suicide Support Service (AHS): 1800 859 585
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Hong Kong
- 24小时预防自杀热线服务: 852-2382-0000
- The Samaritans: 852-2896-0000
- Taiwan
- 国际生命线台湾总会: 1995
- 113 Protection Hotline: 113
The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide also can provide contact information for crisis centers worldwide.
Online resources
- mindline.sg
- stayprepared.sg/mymentalhealth
- eC2.sg
- www.tinklefriend.sg
- www.chat.mentalhealth.sg
- carey.carecorner.org.sg
- www.impart.sg
Cover photo courtesy of VCT EMEA
