Woke early this morning to the shocking news that Robin Williams - comedian and actor - was dead, by his own hand. Not sure what was the most shocking, the simple fact that he was dead, which I was finding hard enough to grasp, or that all the news said he had done it himself. This wasn't like the other recent deaths of actors which had been accidental overdoses of hard or prescription drugs. He had chosen this. He had not seen another way out.
His alcohol addiction was well known. Likewise his drug addiction. He had attended rehab. Come out of rehab. Been clean for years. Apparently slipped back. This addiction caused by the depression he had endured for years.
His brilliance was equally well known. His mercurial wit. The characters he created in the many films - I will always remember him in Mork and Mindy, and as the manic DJ in Good Morning Vietnam, but also the World According to Garp, Dead Poets Society, and Good Will Hunting. He was such different people in so many films and was amazing. As a standup comedian he was legendary. As a friend (his friendship with Christopher Reeve for example) he was witty, kind and loving - look up the stories. Watch the DVDs. Look at the clips on YouTube. I have been.
So why couldn't he see the way forward? It's easy for us who aren't stuck. Those of us who aren't depressed.
What we need to do is be there for others. Be supportive. Even if someone looks strong and looks like they are coping, they might not be. Don't make assumptions. Ask how people are. Listen to the answers.
..and if you want help, try contacting the Samaritans
Randomeanderings: Useful and useless things, random assorted ideas and general waffle
Randomeanderings: Useful and useless things, random assorted ideas and general waffle
- clinestar
- Part time poet, full time librarian, student of the delights of milk chocolate. Likes books, milk, paddling, poetry, scribbling, chocolate, notebooks, sea, piers. Not necessarily in that order. All work copyright cih.