I sit and try to process what everyone else does. Robin Williams.. legendary actor is dead.
Robin Williams- He was a staple in most of the movies I have enjoyed while growing up. Hook, Jack, Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire.. so many more. He was hilarious to watch, and seemed to have such a warmth not only in the characters he played, but in real life. He was truly a master of the craft.
Now, Mr. Williams didn't pass away in his bed due to old age, no friends... it was due to suicide. Suicide??
" Suicide is so selfish"
"He had the world at his fingertips, he had money and fame and threw it away"
"But he was soooo funny"
How could such an infamous funny man actor die from suicide? I can tell you, he was the last person from Hollywood I would have thought I would log on to social media, and see on the news to have been found dead, the shock is still overwhelming.
The truth is, addiction, depression and other mental health issues are non-discriminatory. Mr. Williams was fairly forth coming when it came to his addiction problems. He as recently as a few months before his death had re-entered a treatment facility, supposedly to keep a handle on things. So, where did it go wrong?
We are getting better at reporting about mental health issues, but we aren't where we should be. There is still a great stigma attached to people who suffer from it.
"Depressed? You should smile more, Jesus, there are people dying all around the world, what have YOU got to be depressed about?"
" Well, just put down the friggen bottle, you are an alcoholic.. but its your own fault"
" Anxiety attacks? Stop being so paranoid about everything and get a life"
Now, Im not trying to "glorify" the suicide aspect of the loss of Robin Williams. I am going to say, I kind of get it, after reflecting for a moment why he could do such a horrible thing. Im going to give you a perspective to think about when dealing with someone who suffers from depression, and to put yourself in this situation.
Imagine you are going on a hike. You packed everything you thought you might need. You even bought some brand new equipment, top of the line, best of the best. New hiking boots.. a new knapsack, brand new awesome clothes and some flashy new tools. You figure, you are all set to go. Off you go on your hike. You walk and walk, trudging along until a misstep causes you a fall, your leg gets wedged under a boulder and breaks. You are deep in a canyon, all alone with a broken leg, and the temperature around you rises and rises. Now, you know very well, that somewhere out there is a hospital with a doctor who could easy reset your leg, and with a bit of recovery time you would be a-ok. You are very aware that option exists but...you are all alone. you have no one to tell. hours pass, and its getting hotter and hotter. You begin to panic, as you have been here for a long time and there is still no sign of anyone. The heat and pain is becoming unbearable.. and the fact that you are bleeding reminds you that theres only so long before you die there all alone. You do what you never thought you could ever be capable of, grab your big knife from your sack and begin to saw at the broken limb.. you know very well that you will probably die regardless, but in a panic desperation, you do anything you can do just to get out of there.
Lets flip the switch for a moment... imagine you came across someone on your hike who was trapped beneath a boulder, with a broken leg. Are you embarrassed for them? Are you frightened to ask what's wrong? Chances are, you are going to recognize that they need some help, and not think that they can do it themselves and carry on. You are going to do what you can to get them somewhere to save their leg.
Now.. this might not be the BEST analogy. Im not suggesting that we can "fix" everyone we meet. I think by talking about it, and keeping mental illness in the forefront, we will have a greater understanding of how to help someone get help they need before "reaching in the knapsack". I also don't want to imply that those who have ended their life, didn't have people around that cared to help. Sometimes I think we are just ill-equipped, there is still so much to learn.
My greatest hope for the legacy of Mr. Robin Williams, after the laughs he shared with us, the thoughtful characters that he portrayed, is NOT that he selfishly killed himself. I hope that it inspires people to embrace the fact that no matter your social standing, your wealth, how many friends you have, that we are all people who can be affected by mental illness.
If you or anyone you know may be suffering with mental health issues, and you want to learn more, there are resources available. You can ask your family doctor, or visit these websites:
http://www.cmha.ca/
http://www.partnersformh.ca/resources/find-help/crisis-centres-across-canada/
If you believe you or someone you know are AT RISK from mental illness issues;
CALL 911
Rest in Peace Robin Williams,
~Chelsea
DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH.
Robin Williams- He was a staple in most of the movies I have enjoyed while growing up. Hook, Jack, Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire.. so many more. He was hilarious to watch, and seemed to have such a warmth not only in the characters he played, but in real life. He was truly a master of the craft.
Now, Mr. Williams didn't pass away in his bed due to old age, no friends... it was due to suicide. Suicide??
" Suicide is so selfish"
"He had the world at his fingertips, he had money and fame and threw it away"
"But he was soooo funny"
How could such an infamous funny man actor die from suicide? I can tell you, he was the last person from Hollywood I would have thought I would log on to social media, and see on the news to have been found dead, the shock is still overwhelming.
The truth is, addiction, depression and other mental health issues are non-discriminatory. Mr. Williams was fairly forth coming when it came to his addiction problems. He as recently as a few months before his death had re-entered a treatment facility, supposedly to keep a handle on things. So, where did it go wrong?
We are getting better at reporting about mental health issues, but we aren't where we should be. There is still a great stigma attached to people who suffer from it.
"Depressed? You should smile more, Jesus, there are people dying all around the world, what have YOU got to be depressed about?"
" Well, just put down the friggen bottle, you are an alcoholic.. but its your own fault"
" Anxiety attacks? Stop being so paranoid about everything and get a life"
Now, Im not trying to "glorify" the suicide aspect of the loss of Robin Williams. I am going to say, I kind of get it, after reflecting for a moment why he could do such a horrible thing. Im going to give you a perspective to think about when dealing with someone who suffers from depression, and to put yourself in this situation.
Imagine you are going on a hike. You packed everything you thought you might need. You even bought some brand new equipment, top of the line, best of the best. New hiking boots.. a new knapsack, brand new awesome clothes and some flashy new tools. You figure, you are all set to go. Off you go on your hike. You walk and walk, trudging along until a misstep causes you a fall, your leg gets wedged under a boulder and breaks. You are deep in a canyon, all alone with a broken leg, and the temperature around you rises and rises. Now, you know very well, that somewhere out there is a hospital with a doctor who could easy reset your leg, and with a bit of recovery time you would be a-ok. You are very aware that option exists but...you are all alone. you have no one to tell. hours pass, and its getting hotter and hotter. You begin to panic, as you have been here for a long time and there is still no sign of anyone. The heat and pain is becoming unbearable.. and the fact that you are bleeding reminds you that theres only so long before you die there all alone. You do what you never thought you could ever be capable of, grab your big knife from your sack and begin to saw at the broken limb.. you know very well that you will probably die regardless, but in a panic desperation, you do anything you can do just to get out of there.
Lets flip the switch for a moment... imagine you came across someone on your hike who was trapped beneath a boulder, with a broken leg. Are you embarrassed for them? Are you frightened to ask what's wrong? Chances are, you are going to recognize that they need some help, and not think that they can do it themselves and carry on. You are going to do what you can to get them somewhere to save their leg.
Now.. this might not be the BEST analogy. Im not suggesting that we can "fix" everyone we meet. I think by talking about it, and keeping mental illness in the forefront, we will have a greater understanding of how to help someone get help they need before "reaching in the knapsack". I also don't want to imply that those who have ended their life, didn't have people around that cared to help. Sometimes I think we are just ill-equipped, there is still so much to learn.
My greatest hope for the legacy of Mr. Robin Williams, after the laughs he shared with us, the thoughtful characters that he portrayed, is NOT that he selfishly killed himself. I hope that it inspires people to embrace the fact that no matter your social standing, your wealth, how many friends you have, that we are all people who can be affected by mental illness.
If you or anyone you know may be suffering with mental health issues, and you want to learn more, there are resources available. You can ask your family doctor, or visit these websites:
http://www.cmha.ca/
http://www.partnersformh.ca/resources/find-help/crisis-centres-across-canada/
If you believe you or someone you know are AT RISK from mental illness issues;
CALL 911
Rest in Peace Robin Williams,
~Chelsea
DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH.