August 11th is a rough day for me. I had a kindred-spirit-type friend decide to end his own life on August 11th, 2008 so it hit me really hard since I was already being sentimental -- thinking about my friend's family and the impact his decisions had on them ever since.
My hope is that having somebody highly visible decide to end their own life in a public way shines a light on mental illness and addiction. I hope it causes people to understand that Robin Williams had the means to look after himself in whatever his state, but there are so many people out there who suffer with mental illness every day who don't have the means to have a support network. Ultimately, all his riches were not enough to save him from himself and that's the saddest tragedy of all - imagine the fate of those less fortunate.
Anyway, this isn't supposed to be a pity party. If you find yourself suffering from the effects from depression, help is available - get help. Sometimes the first few steps can hurt but it gets better. Start with your doctor.... be determined NOT to feel like you do. You are not weak, you are not broken, you are not undeserving, you are not unworthy but you do need help - I couldn't build a house without help but that doesn't make me any less of a person. Start today.
Never would I have imagined a suicide..
