Find Peace Mr. Williams

Today, the world learned of the passing of one our times greatest comedians, Robin Williams, at the age of 63, of an apparent suicide.  I saw his name pop up on my news feed and my thought was more about a new television show or movie he had coming up, not that the media was announcing his apparent suicide.  As someone who struggles with Bi-Polar disorder, it hit me hard. In a selfish way, I thought “that could have been me.” The moments of complete and utter despair are unexplainable and I never want to experience that feeling again. I sure wouldn’t want anyone I know, love or anyone else for that matter to ever experience that pain. 

From media reports, Robin had been struggling recently and checked himself into a rehab facility. To take that action makes me think he really knew something was wrong and knew he needed help – two big factors for someone with mental illness.  We often don’t want to admit when something is indeed wrong, especially when it involves mental health. People often don’t want to ask for help (thankfully after having twins, I have learned the value of asking and taking help) but there comes a point when, struggling with depression in this instance, that we know we can’t do it alone and need the help of family and friends and of course, the experts in this arena: psychiatrists and therapists. I too was there and I waved my white flag of surrender and desperately needed help as I sat in the emergency room and checked myself into a local psychiatric facility.  I got that needed help 2 years ago, at 31 years old, and know that it probably won’t always be smooth sailing for me throughout my life but I, and the family and friends around me, know my triggers (lack of sleep, extreme stress, poor nutrition and lack of exercise) to prevent me from falling that low again.  Robin was 63 years old when he died – young but I’m sure the daily struggle he lived was more unbearable than he could take, should the report of suicide be verified.

Friends, each of our lives are a beautiful web with a perfect necessary place in this world. As this blog progresses, I’ll say it over and over again, should you feel you are in such pain and you can’t go on, please, please seek help. There are resources out there for you such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

May Mr. Williams’ death not be in vain. I pray this continues to bring about the discussion and awareness of depression. My sincere prayers and condolences to his family and friends as they go through this very difficult time.