Much has been said about the sad loss of the actor Robin Williams. His death was apparently a suicide by asphyxiation and was the result of a battle with depression. He was a great actor and filled many beloved roles over the course of his career, so it is no wonder that there has been so much attention given to this tragic event. However, with the mourning has come a wave of advocacy to, and often from, those who suffer from depression.
Depression isolates. When you suffer from depression, it is easy to feel strange and uncomfortable around those who have what seems like a normal range of emotion. It can be hard to seek out help because doing so requires you to admit that something is wrong. In many ways mental illness is like being haunted. Often you are the only one experiencing anything out of the ordinary. Trying to communicate the strangeness of the situation is difficult because no one else can see what is tormenting you. It is easy to think that when you do ask for help you won't be taken seriously. Many who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses suffer alone, even if others are aware of their condition, because they don't want to burden their friends or family members.
Often the only reason that a person opens up about their suffering is when they are afraid of what might happen to them. Even though they know that they are not the only ones suffering from depression, it is easier to assume that others will not understand. However, you hear that someone you knew of has committed suicide, it reminds you that you too are being haunted by the same predatory force that has just taken the life of another. For a moment you feel connected to another human being, but that human being is dead, and you fear that you might be next.
The struggle against depression isn't easy. Losing someone who presumably at least had access to help, if not the will to get that help, reminds others who suffer that even those who have support can be lost, and that is terrifying. It can make you feel powerless in the face of your illness. If you know someone who suffers from depression, now is probably a good time to reach out to them. If you suffer yourself, it is always a good time to reach out to those who love you and to get support. If you feel like there isn't anyone who cares, know that right now there are thousands of others who share your fears, and they care. Even if they don't know who you are. Right now we share a connection as we face the terror of this disease together.
Update: I would appreciate if this post was shared. I feel like this is something that could be good for people to know, especially in light of the discussion that has been going on in the blogosphere about this topic.
