The news yesterday of beloved comedian and actor Robin Williams apparently taking his own life is heartbreaking. Every suicide is a tragedy, and it’s hard to see a silver lining in a situation like this. Let’s hope that awareness can be that silver lining. As you see the coverage of his passing in coming days, take note of the fact that a rich, famous, funny man who had a life many would envy still struggled with addiction and depression. Take note, and then take action. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, or if you suspect that depression might be at play, please seek help. Contact our office to learn more about treating depression and preventing suicide, and in case of a potential suicide emergency, please contact a suicide hotline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Here’s an excerpt from a piece on The Dallas Morning News’ Pop Culture Blog that captured the sentiment of the day. Please click the link below for the full text.
Depression and addiction are killers that run hand in hand, trampling whatever they can. Monday brought the gut-punch news of another beloved victim: Robin Williams, a manically funny actor who has battled both monsters, was found dead in his Marin County home. The cause of death was thought to be suicide by asphyxiation.
He partied with John Belushi, then mourned his friend when he overdosed in 1982. He rehabbed, relapsed, got better, fell back into depression. Coming on the heels of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s heroin overdose, Williams’ death is another brutally sad reminder that genius and despair often flow from the same tap.
Williams’ comic energy was unlike any other, his mind surreally quick to conjure inspired absurdity. As he rose in the ‘70s and ‘80s we expected, with some justification, everything out of his mouth to be funny. Later he was mocked by some (including me) for movies that seemed desperate to rid the world of sadness: Jack, Patch Adams, Jakob the Liar. It was like he needed to be on at all times (which sums up the appeal of his breakout performance in the sitcom Mork & Mindy).