Robin Williams made us laugh but we’re not laughing now as we mourn his suicidal death.
His tragic ending has placed a national spotlight on the seriousness of depression. In the midst of this heart wrenching tragedy maybe good will come as people may openly discuss their daily demons of clinical despair.
We know that millions of Americans deal with depression. The statistics differ from sources but we can safely say most Americans have been depressed a few times during life. Many are never treated while others sadly become addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs and even turn to illegal drugs to cope with their mental battles.
Robin Williams had it all, it seemed. Something was missing and even with clinical help he couldn’t eliminate the internal monster that dogged him to his unfortunate ending.
Who am I to spout out a few answers in lieu of one who had accomplished so much and was loved by so many? My rambling feeble thoughts are insignificant but I have to wonder some of the following:
Did he have two or three people in his life that he could really talk to? Most people don’t.
Had his life become void of challenge? Maybe the lack of new goals and new ambitions dulled the sound of the morning trumpet that beckons us to spring from our beds with energy.
Further, we know that he was dealing with his health; it is commonly reported that depression surrounds heart surgeries. He had gone through an aortic valve replacement, a very serious surgery.
For all of us who have known at least a few depressing moments in life I would offer the following: Try to have one or two people that you can talk to about anything. Reinvent yourself from time to time and do something different.
Get out of the house as much as possible. Limit your daily media including TV, social media etc. Try to get daily exercise. Physical work and activity clears some of the mental cobwebs. And, connect with your Creator. Look up for a source of help and strength that nothing or no one else can give.
Glenn Mollette Newburgh, Indiana is an American columnist and author. Contact him at GMollette@aol.com.
