Strap in. I believe Robin Williams is the first celebrity death that has had a major impact on my generation. He was a legend as both a comedian and as an actor. Everyone my age knew his name and had seen at least one of his movies. His loss is a profound one. As if it wasnt enough of a tremendous blow to not only lose a wonderful entertainer, we have also lost an incredibly kind, loving, and supportive human being. It is not yet confirmed, but sources are reporting that Mr. Williams died as a result of suicide. This is devastating. And as much as I love Robin Williams, I am also troubled that it takes the death of a beloved celebrity to get my peers and the rest of the world to pay attention to this thief of lives. Suicide does not discriminate. It doesnt care if you are rich or poor; black or white; gay or straight. It overlooks your age, your gender, your hair color and eye color. It affects those who are married, single, engaged, and divorced; the childless and the full house. It can care less whether youre a dog person or a cat lady. Smoker? Doesnt matter. Religious? Cant stop it. High school dropouts and Doctorate degrees have no control over it. SUICIDE AFFECTS EVERYONE. Im already seeing mean, hateful, and ignorant comments regarding Mr. Williams death; those who believe that you can treat depression by getting over it, and just being happy. Those who think that suicide is Darwinism at work. Those who somehow truly believe that people who commit suicide are weak, and that they have finally caved in to their own pathetic thoughts. I use quotes because I have READ these statements. I have HEARD these statements. It is not time to educate on mental health and its terrible outcomes; it is PAST TIME. I have depression. I have tried to get over it. I have tried to just be happy. But I will tell you this with certainty: I AM NOT WEAK. I am stronger than any of those faceless commentators. And so was Robin Williams. He lasted 63 years with his debilitating mental illness. And not only did he survive, but he dedicated his life to bring joy to others. He gave us laughter. He made us think. He changed lives. And most importantly, he tried to help others. He was open about his illness, and he urged others similar to him to find help. And while I, too, want those with mental illness or those thinking about suicide or self-harm to find help, my push has always been this: BE SOMEONES HELP. And dont do it just this week in honor of Robin Williams. Be vigilant ALWAYS. Dont let someone else - anyone else - slip through the cracks. Sometimes people cry out for help with a megaphone; sometimes its a whisper. Listen. Pay attention. And be there.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:03:15 +0000
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