Suicide

We lost another artist this week.
It is always tragic when these beautiful lights go out, but there is something significantly different this time.

Usually when someone takes their own life there is the tragic shaking of the head, that grim flat mouth and the obligatory "what a shame"; but it is too often followed by something else, blame.
Our society so often blames the afflicted for not being able to conquer their illness.
I'm not hearing as much blame this time.
Maybe it's that Mr. Williams was so loved and adored, maybe it's because we always knew he was "a little touched" but maybe, just maybe, we are changing.

Perhaps our society is finally willing to see mental illness for what it is, a debilitating, all too often fatal disease.
Perhaps we can become more tolerant of the those who suffer so silently, so shamefully.

Robin Williams was loved and admired by millions but this horrible disease made it impossible for him to feel that love. That is the tragedy of depression. It robs you of your ability to see or feel the support that may be standing right in front of you. We can only hope that the tragic end to Mr. Williams amazing life can open the doors wider and help our society remove the shame so closely related to depression.