I am sad.
A man of extraordinary talent, a father, a friend, & a compassionate, selfless servant to many community causes has died...at his own hand.
He died because he felt so trapped by life...by depression...by his own inability to control overwhelming darkness within his mind. That's what is the saddest part of all, like any suicides ...that even though he was loved, DEATH felt to be is only cure for such indescribable pain.
Robin Williams has always been one of my favorite entertainers both in film & stand-up comedy. I especially liked Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poet's Society, Patch Adams & Aladdin. He was so versatile in his career. He made me laugh & smile. His roles in GWH & DPS inspired me. So, within the next couple weeks while I'm off work, I will honor & celebrate this legend's life by re-watching these movies. I will also continue my fight against the mental illness stigma & advocate for better & more mental health care.
As a person who has a history of suicidal thoughts & aware of close friends/acquaintances/students who have attempted, but thankfully failed, it hits me hard. I, to an extent, understand his feeling of drowning in a black hole of hopelessness despite external love & support. It is an uncontrollable urge that cannot be explained. This leads me to the fact that...
I consider myself more spiritual than religious for a variety of reasons. I will eternally believe in God primarily because of the following:
1.) The miracle of conception & birth. Yes, it is biological, but I think often that it is SO amazing that I was once a mere egg & grew inside my mother's body?! Like, Holy Crazy Batman. There has to be some Divine intervention goin' on there...
2.) Step outside. Away from the city. Go to the forest. Sit in a kayak alone in the middle of a lake & just look around... Nature is God's creation in its purest, most peaceful form. My piece of Heaven on Earth.
3.) Back to the aforementioned point... I wholeheartedly believe & felt God & my guardian angels [I'd like to think Grandma & Grandpa Poore] were behind that steering wheel the two times I drove myself to the E.R. instead of acting on my horrific thoughts of ending my life. I am forever grateful!
So, with that said & somewhat in response to the variety of conversations surfacing on the Interwebs & media...
I repeat, Robin Williams was:
More than his disease.
A remarkably talented entertainer.
A father, friend, & colleague.
An activist & philanthropist.
A giver.
Courageous.
An inspiration.
A sports fan.
...he just happened to be one of millions of adults who struggled at times with addiction & severe depression.
Just because he committed suicide, Robin Williams was NOT:
A coward.
Selfish.
Going to Hell.
Stupid.
Possessed with demons.
Below are links to a few articles that I find particularly share-worthy & a quote from each...
Suicide contagion and social media: The dangers of sharing 'Genie, you're free'
"Moutier is referring to a well-documented phenomenon, better-known as “copycat suicide,” in which media coverage or publicity around one death encourages other vulnerable people to commit suicide in the same way. Adolescents are most at risk of suicide contagion; in recent years, groups like AFSP have also become particularly attentive to the role the Internet plays in romanticizing notorious or high-profile deaths, something it has long asked both the new and entertainment industries to avoid."
What the Church & Christians Need to Know About Suicide & Mental Health
"We’re the people who say: “there’s no shame saying that your heart and head are broken because there’s a Doctor in the house. It’s the wisest and the bravest who cry for help when lost...
There’s no guilt in mental illness because depression is a kind of cancer that attacks the mind. You don’t shame cancer, you treat cancer. You don’t treat those with hurting insides as less than. You get them the most treatment.”"
Robin Williams Death: The Difference Between Depression & Normal Sadness
Depression: Tragically Misunderstood
"In contrast [to sadness], clinical depression often persists for months on end, and a friendly word of support is simply not enough to loosen its suffocating grip. That's where the tragic confusion ensues. For when those suffering from depression confide their diagnosis to friends and family, they're often met with relative indifference, born of the assumption that the patient is afflicted with mere sadness - a condition from which they can quickly and easily recover."
[Sidenote: During my struggle with depression & anxiety, I was once told by someone very close to me to "just f*ckin' get over it!" Although, I understand that it is hard for others who have not experienced it to understand, I could not simply just snap out of it. I wished it was that easy. I didn't enjoy being depressed. If someone you know is struggling & you aren't sure how to help, seek resources from NAMI, or other organizations.]
How can YOU help me fight that stigma & advocate? JOIN my Team H.O.P.E. [Hang On, Peace Exists] at the NAMI Iowa Walk Saturday, October 4 in West Des Moines. It's only 2 hours of your time. If you can't make it, a donation would also greatly be appreciated. To register or contribute, click here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
"Carpe diem." - Robin Williams as English teacher, John Keating, in Dead Poet's Society. Seize the day, dear friends, seize the day!
And, please remember, there is always HOPE.
No comments:
Post a Comment