The world stopped for a few hours during the CNN Special highlighting the works and life of Robin Williams, 1951-2014. The man who brought millions laughter and tears for decades is now a memory that will be cherished and a pair of shoes that will never again be filled. None see this differently than simply a tragedy, being that 63 is far too young to leave the earth. Few can avoid the shock and denial that accompanies the news of a suicide. Someone so full of life and nutty as Robin Williams couldn’t ever be a candidate for depression, right? On CNN, guest speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky points out some of the little known connections between depression and heart surgery some of the potential links. When your chest is ripped open, things are released. This goes backwards as well; when an episode of depression strikes, this may be considered a signal of cardiac problems. The message you should take away is that something like heart trouble, regarded as serious by all, causes something that many people don’t understand and insult by labelling it as a bad mood. Dr. Drew underlined the importance of recognizing mental illness and poses the question of why do we have such stigma around the topic and treatment of mental illness? Even just this last summer, Robin Williams was “checked into rehab” and by that meant was going to a psychiatric ward to treat his depression. Even the words psychiatric ward no doubt put thoughts of the Joker and Arkham in your mind with crazy straight coats, but the point is that these are horrible misconceptions that damage society’s view and ability to treat mental illness.
Both the Disney main Facebook page and the official fanclub have released great reads to give their farewells. Those who stood by and watched his career unfold lost an idol and an inspiration, and those who were in the creative process with him will cherish the memories of his life for the rest of theirs. Even the seemingly small details have become significant now that Robin Williams has passed. The bench in ‘Good Will Hunting’ became a memorial in the famous Boston public garden and fans from anywhere can now take the time to write a note or a quote from one of his movies on the surrounding side walk to say goodbye to this comedic genius. Little information has been given surrounding the exact circumstances. Is it more relieving or painful to know that he left no note? An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow and rather than ponder the reasoning behind this man who was committed to sobriety, all hearts go to the family who has asked that we focus on the life, rather than death, of a man who has been such an ongoing force energy and youth, and we respect the family’s privacy as they mourn. Robin William’s last tweet, here’s the video.
Much discussion on Reddit composes the thoughts and sadness of a collective mourning, yet many disagree with “the idea of the genie being free,” as they see it as a misrepresentation of what suicide truly is. No one questions whether or not depression was the true cause, that’s evident. The action of taking one’s own life in an episode of depression is just the same as depression causing the death, despite others saying that “depression didn’t kill him, he killed himself.” Dr. Fadi Matar, an associate professor at the University of South Florida, also brought up this link between heart surgery and depression, though said that the surgery would only create subtle changes and that the depression wouldn’t be severe enough to lead someone to depression, though someone like Robin Williams who has had problems with addiction in his past may tell a different story. Robin Williams was regarded as quite brave for his openness surrounding his addiction. In a clip of an interview he was told of an occasion and heard, “so you were drunk,” and simply replied, “well that’s nice of you to say.” He was open and honest about the addictions but what of the inside processing? At what point is being open about one’s thoughts and feelings turn from being honest to being crazy. Clearly there’s a point that we’ve instilled, as everyone knows someone who has either shamed or been shamed for some type of mental illness. It’s time to stop the stigma. Rest in peace, Robin Williams.
