The Death of Robin Williams : Why We Need to Start Paying More Attention to Depression

I've been mulling Robin William's tragic death over and over in my head for the past 12 hours...trying to wrap my head around it and make sense of it. But, frankly, there is no sense to be made of it. Suicide takes thousands of lives each year and the numbers KEEP rising. People suffer in silence, ashamed and afraid to say anything, for fear they will be ridiculed, laughed at, or not taken seriously.

Mental illnesses are just that. ILLNESS. It's not something that can be helped without the right treatment; it's not something that you can just shrug off. You will hear people say "Oh, you're depressed? Yeah, you and everyone else." No. There is a DISTINCT DIFFERENCE between just being sad and being clinically depressed. Depression is all-encompassing and affects ALL areas of your life. It is not just something you can shrug off and ignore. It changes the way you think, feel, act, everything. It makes you think irrational thoughts. It is like a cloud that hovers over you constantly, masking all the wonderful things that are happening around you. It makes you feel unworthy, like a complete schmuck. You think to yourself "Why would anyone care how I'm feeling?" But the truth is...people DO care. The depression just makes you not see it. Depression is like a negative filter put over your eyes, making you see things in a completely distorted and unhealthy way.

Robin Williams fought with his personal demons for 63 long (and probably exhausting) years. He lived for 63 years, bringing joy and happiness to MILLIONS of people. He touched more lives than he could probably even fathom. But his demons didn't allow him to see that. If you, like me, were a fan of his, you could probably pick up the subtle nuances of his ups and downs over the years. Films like Aladdin, Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jack, Toys... allowed us a glimpse into the happy, carefree Robin Williams that we all knew and loved. But we also saw him in films such as Dead Poets Society, What Dreams May Come, Good Will Hunting and Patch Adams..films that showed his serious side, a side where you could almost feel the weight of his depression seeping through.

One could argue that his mental illness made him shine as an actor, and I would not disagree with that. It made him a deeply profound individual, with many facets and more depth than the Pacific Ocean. We saw him as outrageous, crazy, melodramatic, amazing, caring, kind-hearted, warm...but it is frightening to think of what went on inside his head. He fought his battle with depression for 63 years and, like many other illnesses, he just got tired. Tired of fighting, tired of pretending to be somebody he wasn't, tired of trying to constantly put on a front. He let the demons take control over his mind and actions; the blanket of depression never diminishing to the point where he could see and fathom the truth. The truth that he was an outstanding actor, a loving father and husband, a compassionate friend, and an incredibly selfless individual. Suicide may seem to some like the selfish thing to do, and in some ways.. it is. But suicide victims rarely see it that way. That cloud that comes over your mind takes away ALL rational thought, leaving you with the one option that even remotely makes sense. They take the only route that they can see.

If you, like so many other Americans (including myself) are suffering from depression, reach out. Find a hand to hold. It will be scary, it will make you feel horribly uncomfortable, it may even feel like a completely worthless act. But at the end of it, realize this:

You took the first step. You reached out. You granted yourself the opportunity to live one more day. And maybe that one day will make all the difference in the world. 

If you suspect someone close to you is depressed, find a way to talk to them about it. Do not ignore the signs. Reach out to that friend, that loved one. Help them know that the battle they are fighting does not have to be fought alone. Take time out of your day to ask how he or she is doing. Take time to show you care. The littlest thoughts and actions, even a simple "hey how are you" text can make an immense amount of difference. Perghaps, just maybe, your one small act of kindness will be enough to break through those demons and show your friend or loved one that they are cared for. They are loved. They are cherished. They are WORTH IT.

Friends, let's not allow Robin Williams' untimely death be in vain. This one hits really close to home, and I would be a liar if I said I was not affected personally by this. If you are suffering from depression, please please know you are not alone. Find a friend, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, tell SOMEONE.

Suicide should NEVER be the only option.

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