Why People are Wrong to Criticise Robin Williams

Robin Williams

Robin Williams

On Tuesday 12th August at midnight, a breaking news report announced that actor and comedian Robin Williams had died at his home in California.

Within minutes my News Feed on Facebook was pouring with outbursts of shock, horror and devastation. For many, Williams was the epitome of their childhood memories, thanks to classics such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji and his wonderful voice work of the Genie from Aladdin. He was a man of spirit, of vibrancy, a firework of colour, passion and warmth. So it was an even bigger shock to find that a man who was a childhood hero to many was suffering from severe depression and, in fact, had committed suicide.

Suicide is the taboo that no one wants to discuss. And really, why would you want to? It’s not a pleasant subject for anyone, and it’s not exactly a topic that can be brought up lightly or casually. But the fact is, it happens. And the fact that such a well-loved man with an illustrious career, a loving family and the respect of his audiences and peers alike has been driven to such a tragic circumstance speaks volumes to the fact that mental health awareness isn’t nearly as astute as it needs to be.

Suicide is not cowardice. It’s not a cry for help. It’s not taking the easy way out because you can’t be bothered to seek out help for yourself, and it’s not selfishly leaving behind a family and a world of people who love you. It’s the final act of desperation, aggression and all encompassing loneliness that leads to someone looking for any way out they possibly can. It’s four walls without an escape route, it’s a windowless cell, it’s the blankness of a universe where you’ve lost all connection to the real world. It’s a chance for peace and it’s the only real form of escape that some people can hope to achieve.

Depression doesn’t discriminate. You can have fame, you can have fortune, you can have a huge mansion, you can have twenty cars, you could have all of the love and attention the world has to offer, hell, the sky could be raining jelly babies, and it will not give a shit. It will take you down, it will tear you up and if you laugh loud enough, no one will even question it. If there was ever a time to open our eyes and ears to the realness of mental health, it’s now. This can happen to anyone, even a celebrity as prolific and adored as Williams himself. If you are suffering, please reach out to someone. Don’t suffer in silence, because you’re not alone.

Robin McLaurin Williams, rest in peace. I’m sorry you died an unhappy man, but I hope that wherever you are now, you’ve found what you were searching for your entire life.

And to anyone who may have called him a coward – Shepard Smith of Fox News can be accounted for this – or say that have no sympathy for his predicament – like TalkSport presenter Alan Brazil – there is absolutely no way that I can word this calmly or speak from an impartial journalistic perspective.

Fuck you.

If you have been affected by this article, or are currently struggling with a mental disorder or contemplating suicide, the following contacts are available.

Samaritans: 24-7
08457 90 90 90

NHS Direct:24-7
111

CALM: 5pm-midnight, 7 days a week
0800 58 58 58

Mind: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
0300 123 3393

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