Robin Williams: Another Amazing Soul Lost to Suicide
Another amazing soul lost to suicide
The world was shocked to learn yesterday that actor/comedian Robin Williams was found unresponsive in his home from a suspected suicide. The media outlets have been flooded with this story for the past 12 hours straight, bringing back memories of how painful it was when we lost Dane. How can a person who brings so much laughter and smiles to the world, feel so sad and hopeless inside that they feel ending their life is the only option? We asked the exact same question about Dane. He was also so full of life, constantly cracking jokes and making everyone around him laugh, just as Robin Williams did. Depression. Mental illness. These are the things that the media really needs to be focusing on. The more we talk, the more we become aware of how truly serious mental illness can be. Did you know suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States?
People suffering from depression often wear a "mask". They never show their true emotions, and many suffer in silence until they feel as though they cannot take it anymore, therefore thinking their pain will end if they end their life. A well known actor such as Robin Williams was idolized and admired by many people, his death will in turn affect a huge amount of people. We are truly hoping this helps to raise awareness that mental illness does not discriminate against age, sex, race, or socioeconomic class.
Suicide is not a weak decision. It is a decision that takes an incredible amount of strength to make, actually. Someone isn’t weak if they end their life. They are desperate. There is a difference. It’s okay to feel angry at the person for dying. It’s okay to question, to rail against the forces that caused this. But it isn’t weakness. Mental illness isn’t weakness. It’s a disease, a pervasive, sometimes awful disease. The person doesn’t deserve anger and skepticism forever. They deserve compassion. Their family deserves compassion.
Rest in Peace Robin Williams, and to all others who have fallen victim to depression and mental illness, we hope you find peace on the other side. We also want to send love and healing thoughts out to everyone out there that has lost someone they love to suicide. It is a tragic loss like no other, and having the media highlight this for the next few days will for sure bring up some familiar feelings.
Everyone please take care of themselves, and if you or anyone you know is struggling with depression and/or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
