I am still in shock over the news that Robin Williams is dead. I’ve seen the word depression floating around connected to his death and having suffered from it myself I know that dying was the last thing I wanted to do when I was depressed. I had hope even when it seemed the darkest that I would make it through. And even when I experience depression during my divorce I still had Hope. That’s the key. A person has to have hope. If you don’t then living doesn’t seem right. But I didn’t have hope in myself. I had Hope in God. I knew He was with me through it all. And I learned to be stronger because of it.
For others dealing with this illness, especially if you’ve been there before, it isn’t so easy. I’ve literally seen a friend curl up in the corner because she wanted to shut the rest of the world out. I’d been there and felt that way before myself. And on some days I didn’t feel like I needed to get behind the wheel of my car and drive to work, but sometimes you have to do it anyway. So you go through the motions, praying you’ll make it through.
Depression is real. And the best thing we can do for each other is be aware of warning signs so we can possibly help the other one through it. I can’t make speculation as to why Robin Williams chose to end his life if suicide is declared the cause of death. No one knows what demons he was facing in that hour. All we can do is be more aware of those around us that we know and love and try to be there if they too should be going down that path.
Leanne Tyler 