On depression, mental health, suicide, and Robin Williams
So many times over the past 24 hours I have started to write something about all the talk that is going on about mental health issues because of Robin Williams death. And every time I end up deleting it. Because nothing I say seems to be...right.
The celebrity status of Robin Williams has everyone talking about suicide and mental illness and it is sad that it takes a celebrity death to make people think about it. But it's happening in your country, your province, your town, and maybe even right next door. And the jokes that people make about others being crazy because they don't leave the house, or a lush because she drinks too much, or a wack job because she peed on Main Street - well, you're the reason that they aren't getting help. Because when you talk like that you bring shame upon the people who are suffering. It's no wonder so many choose to suffer in silence.
When it comes right down to it, unless you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition you have no right to say what someone should do, what they should think, or what kind of action they should take. And even if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, you can really only speak of your own experience because everyone's experience is different. No two experiences are the same.
So just understand this one thing: YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND! Just be there when someone you love needs you. And let them know that you are there. Be empathic to people no matter what you might think you "know" about them...because the truth is, you likely don't know.
So many times over the past 24 hours I have started to write something about all the talk that is going on about mental health issues because of Robin Williams death. And every time I end up deleting it. Because nothing I say seems to be...right.
The celebrity status of Robin Williams has everyone talking about suicide and mental illness and it is sad that it takes a celebrity death to make people think about it. But it's happening in your country, your province, your town, and maybe even right next door. And the jokes that people make about others being crazy because they don't leave the house, or a lush because she drinks too much, or a wack job because she peed on Main Street - well, you're the reason that they aren't getting help. Because when you talk like that you bring shame upon the people who are suffering. It's no wonder so many choose to suffer in silence.
When it comes right down to it, unless you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition you have no right to say what someone should do, what they should think, or what kind of action they should take. And even if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, you can really only speak of your own experience because everyone's experience is different. No two experiences are the same.
So just understand this one thing: YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND! Just be there when someone you love needs you. And let them know that you are there. Be empathic to people no matter what you might think you "know" about them...because the truth is, you likely don't know.