Why I'm So Sad About Robin Williams...

Whether the scene that comes to mind is Mrs. Doubtfire dancing with the vacuum cleaner,  students jumping on their desk saying "O Captain, my Captain," a blue genie dancing and singing in a cave, a bearded therapist hugging a sobbing genius, or one of a thousand other scenes that made us laugh or cry or a bit of both, the fact is Robin Williams had a huge impact on the entertainment industry and the world.  His rapid fire wit and general aura of kindness made him lovable on screen and off.  If I was flipping channels and saw he was going to be interviewed on any talk show, I was definitely stopping because I knew I'd be laughing out loud in less than a minute.  His gift of portraying humor on screen and off was only matched by his ability to convey compassion, and while I only knew him from the perspective of a fan, I just believed that he was a caring and sweet man in real life. I never thought he was perfect, and I was aware that he'd struggled with substance abuse over the years, but like everyone else, I was devastated to hear the news of his suicide last night.  

This morning, as I watch the morning shows revisit his past roles and share truths from his life off screen, I'm struck by how very sad I am for the loss of a man I never knew personally.  My sadness is not just about the fact that he's gone but also about the disease that likely caused his death, depression.  It breaks my heart to know that while he was making so many of us laugh and feel good, he was struggling inside to feel any joy in his own life.  It's estimated that over 121 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression.  While I personally have only walked through situational depression after personal loss, I have supported close friends and family through diagnosed depression, and I'm very aware of the suffocating weight that comes with it.  Depression is not a made up excuse, it's not sadness, it's not a few bad days.  It is a devastating disease that needs to be treated with the help of professionals.  Unfortunately, too many people dismiss depression and underestimate the significance of it.  Too many people experience shame or a sense of failure when faced with a diagnosis of depression, forgetting that it is a disease in the same way cancer is a disease: not something you asked for, not something you could have prevented, and not something you can ignore.  Depression is not a lack of faith or spirituality either.  You can know Christ and have a strong faith and still be hit with depression.  

As I've taken this journey with my loved ones, I've watched varying reactions to their diagnoses.  Denial is a common response because depression comes with symptoms that are particularly hard for the sufferer to see.  There is not a simple blood test that can tell you yes you suffer from depression, so for many the diagnosis is that much harder to accept. A common theme is a reluctance to take medication to help alleviate the symptoms of depression.  I can't count how many times I've told a depressed loved one that there is no shame in taking medication for their depression, comparing it to medication that we take for any other disease or disorder like diabetes or allergies.  Perhaps the thing that is the most frustrating, from what I've witnessed, is the reoccurrence of the disease after a period of peace; if getting on the medication and seeking therapy the first time was hard, having to revisit these treatments after thinking the depression was gone for good is even more daunting for the sufferer.  Yet, it is imperative that those who suffer from depression are diagnosed and treated by professionals. The type and length of treatments required can vary, but like any disease, left untreated depression can be debilitating and even deadly.  

For those of us who love someone who is experiencing this disease, we have a vital role to play.  We may be the ones to help our loved one identify that something is wrong.  We need to be encouraging and supportive.  We have to recognize the seriousness of the disease, not ignore it.  We have to celebrate when our loved one seeks help, not dismiss it or even worse shame them.  We have to pray for them with the same fervor we have when we hear of someone having cancer or ALS or Parkinson's or any other disease that we know devastates and destroys life.  We must talk about depression with the same mix of respect and gravity that we give those diseases and not write it off or diminish the power with which it can wreak havoc on a life.  

Today, I'm praying for the loved ones of Robin Williams who are grieving the loss of their husband, father, brother, and friend.  Even more, I'm praying for all of the millions out there who are suffering from depression. I'm praying that they are seeking help for their illness.  I'm praying that those who love them are supporting them to the best of their ability.  I'm praying that we all do what we can to support and encourage those in our lives who suffer from this disease.  I'm going to remember Mr. Williams for the laughter and acting genius that he brought into my own life.  I'm going to let his death be my reminder to never forget the dangerous power of depression.