“Are you looking at me? Did you rub my lamp? Did you wake me up? Did you bring me here? And all of a sudden you’re walking out on me? I don’t think so, not right now. You’re getting your wishes, so sit down!” One of the most famous quotes from the incredibly talented Robin Williams who died on Monday earlier this week after committing suicide. I cannot even begin to imagine what he was going through. Or how a man who made people right across the world laugh could have been so hopeless he took his own life. It was almost 3.a.m when I read the news on Facebook and sat gazing in disbelief…not only part of my childhood was now gone but a success, a comedian, a father, a husband and a great man was no longer part of this world.
My thoughts trailed back to scenes from Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Good Will Hunting and Aladdin (which I’m watching now as I write this), so many laughs and tears that came from scenes in these all-time favorite films. Tears roll down my cheeks now as the last scene of Aladdin sets Genie- Robin Williams free.
This brilliant actors sudden and shocking death has brought to light a serious topic which we shy away from as society- depression. Depression is a mental health illness that you can know nothing about unless you or a loved one is battling with it.
It takes over you and unfortunately all you see is a big dark hole that becomes so deep you seem to lose hope on whether or not you’ll ever be able to climb out. I know this because I’ve seen people battle it and even found myself questioning if I too had fallen into that hole? I had and with all honestly it was terrifying, but luckily it had only just approached and with professional help I slowly climbed out before it was too late. Depression isn’t something we talk about nor is it a subject touched on by the media often either, however depression is no joke, it’s scary, dangerous and must be treated medically. I lost a friend because of this horrible illness and sadly it was in the exact way as Mr. Robin Williams took his own life. Some people may call those who resort to suicide ‘selfish’, let me tell you something they are anything but that, because depression takes over your mind and controls you.
According to mental health.org below are the statistics on depression
*1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year
*Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain
*Women are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men
*About 10% of children have a mental health problem at any one time
*Depression affects 1 in 5 older people
*Suicides rates show that British men are three times as likely to die by suicide than British women
*Self-harm statistics for the UK show one of the highest rates in Europe: 400 per 100,000 population.
I want to take this opportunity to remind all of you reading this that you aren’t alone. Life is hard and sometimes fearful, however there is help out there, please don’t be afraid to reach out for it for you or someone else…
Mr.Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfire, thank you for the laughs, the tears and making my childhood that little bit more special.