Coco Lee, a renowned singer-songwriter and the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars, died on Wednesday at the age of 48 following a suicide attempt that left her in a coma.

Coco's two sisters Carol and Nancy Lee announced her death on Chinese and U.S. social media, saying that the Hong Kong-born star had been suffering from depression in recent years and attempted suicide on Sunday, with her condition deteriorating drastically over the past few months.

"Although Coco sought professional help and did her best to fight depressions, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her," the sisters wrote in a statement posted on Instagram.

"On 2 July, she committed suicide at home and was sent to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of the hospital team to rescue and treat her from her coma, she finally passed away on 5 July, 2023."

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Coco's singing career, during which she "won countless international acclaims with top selling songs" and "went all out to shine for the Chinese," the statement added. "We are proud of her!"

Fans who expressed their condolences under the post also shared their own experiences of mental illness. 

"The world and the music industry has just lost an amazing talent and human being. I grew up listening to Coco's songs and some of them helped me through difficult times in my life," one fan wrote.

"What a pity! The pain of depression is uncontrollable, and others cannot understand it! I am experiencing such pain now! Only I know how hard it is to stay alive when fighting with the disease," another said.

Coco has released a number of albums, and many of her songs became popular worldwide. For example, she performed the Oscar-nominated song "A Love Before Time" for the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" which took her to the Oscar stage in 2001, and voiced the female warrior Mulan in the Mandarin-language version of Disney's "Mulan."

Depression is a growing public health concern worldwide, according to data from the World Health Organization. Nearly 280 million people around the world have depression, which is some 50 percent more common among women than men. In China, the WHO estimates that about 54 million people suffer from depression.

Depression may develop into a serious health condition and can lead to suicide, according to the WHO.

Unlike usual mood changes and feelings about everyday life, depression (also known as depressive disorder), is a common mental disorder. It involves a "depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time" and "can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family," says the WHO.

"Depression is often misunderstood by many people. It is crucial to recognize that depression is not merely a fleeting sadness or a result of a negative mindset. It is an actual illness that requires proper attention and treatment," Li Lingjiang, the chief physician of the Department of Psychiatry at the Second Xiangya Hospital told China Media Group.

Encouraging someone to "cheer up" or suggesting that they take a break or spend time with loved ones is not an effective solution, Li, also the chairman of the Chinese Society of Psychiatry added.

"Fortunately, depression is a treatable condition, and seeking professional help can lead to significant improvements and even complete recovery for the majority of individuals. It is essential to approach depression with a proactive mindset and actively pursue appropriate treatment options" Li said, 

"If you or someone you know is facing depression, it is crucial to take the step of seeking help and beginning the journey towards healing," the expert noted.