As tributes to Robin Williams continue to pour in, the apparent suicide of the comedy icon again puts a spotlight on depression and other mental health disorders.
The beloved actor had been suffering from severe depression, according to his spokeswoman. On numerous occasions, Williams discussed his struggles and his rocky road of substance abuse.
One in 10 people suffer from some sort of depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Anna Ruth Williams, a board member of the Atlanta chapter of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (no relation to Robin Williams) said the death of the legendary comedian illustrates how depression can affect anyone — and everyone.
“It makes me sad that we have stigmatized mental illness (and that when someone commits suicide) that we think that person must have been crazy, on drugs, nothing going for them,” said Williams, 30, who lives in Atlanta. “It’s absolutely not true. Suicide is the result of mental illness and it’s a physiological disease like breast cancer.”
She lost her father, the Rev. Mike Williams, a Baptist minister, to suicide. And, like her father, Robin Williams was between the ages of 45 and 64, the most common age demographic for suicide.
Experts hope Williams’ death reminds people to reach out to those suffering and not ignore symptoms of depression.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour hotline that can help those in crisis. If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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