By now, everyone knows that Robin Williams committed suicide. I've seen plenty of coverage on the different things we need to take away from this terrible loss, some very great, but there is one thing in particular that I feel everyone needs to take away from this: depression can happen to ANYONE. It does not care if you're a man or woman, if you're successful or jobless, if you're married with children a single parent or all-around single. It does not care. It can still slip into every fiber of your being and make itself at home.
Chances are, somebody that you know or maybe even are very close to suffers from depression. Maybe you're aware of it, or maybe it's something that you would never imagine, but I can almost guarantee that you know somebody with depression. Being depressed doesn't mean you have a literal dark cloud following you around. People with depression can still have fun, smile, laugh, make jokes, whatever. But somewhere in the back of their mind is that looming darkness. Unfortunately, for some people, that darkness takes over and they can't escape it. For some people, like Robin Williams, they feel death is the only way they can ever find peace.
To an outsider, it may seem so simple. You may think, go to the doctor and get antidepressants, go to church, go to a therapist. But for some, it's really not that easy. With the current stigma on mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and so on many people feel embarrassed to ask for help. They wonder, "why can't I be happy? I have so much to be happy about. I have a beautiful family and friends and a wonderful job..." but for some reason they are still miserable. Instead of trying to help, society still just makes people with mental illness believe that there is something wrong with having a mental illness. Like it's something gross. Or worse, nonexistent. There's not a single thing wrong with it.
If you're depressed, if you have bipolar disorder, or anxiety, or anything, and no one has ever told you that's okay, then hear me. It's okay. It's OKAY. You may have to take a pill, or go see a therapist or maybe even go to a hospital for a while. That's OKAY. Don't EVER let anyone make you feel like there's something wrong with you. You are not alone. If you feel like you have no one to turn to, turn to us here at Stay Alive. Please know our comments are always open. We aren't professionals, but we're good listeners.
If you think someone you may know is fighting a mental illness, reach out. If someone seems down, or especially if they're showing any signs of possibly being suicidal, reach out. You have no idea what difference just talking could make to someone. It could literally be the difference between life and death. And please, if you believe someone is suicidal and may be attempting to go through with it, take action. Contact a family member that may be with them, if you think they're alone, contact the authorities to go to them.
If you've lost someone you love to suicide, I am so sorry. I can't even begin to comprehend how it must feel. I hope you always know it's not your fault. I hope you know the one you lost loved you very much. I also hope you know that your loved one didn't take their life out of selfishness. They didn't forget or stop caring about you. It was just one more symptom of the terrible disease that is depression. The idea of it being a selfish act is one of the many reasons we need to lift the stigma from mental illness, so people can get help (or more help) before it's too late. Finally, I hope you find peace.
Please reference the important hotlines tab on this site for phone numbers or go to http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .
Love,
Lindsey
*edited to fix some typos. I'm on mobile and probably still missed some, so I apologize!
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