topic Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying in Depression

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Loz43 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 05:11:20 GMT

With the terrible news of Robin Williams losing his battle with depression really hit home today, even though I have never been suicidal it has crossed my mind. I was so saddened that he felt so helpless and couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel

Then today at work a co-worker was bullying another co-worker and I just couldn't let it go. I had a word with my boss and said how upset that I was with this situation and it was uncalled for and totally disrespectful. What if this person that was being

bullied suffered depression it could have been so detrimental to her health. I am proud of myself for speaking up as I probably wouldn't have wanted to rock the boat in the past. I am feeling sad about Robin Williams and I am so upset, angry and my heart aches for the person who was being bullied today.

I just needed to share with you all as I don't really have anyone close that I can share these feelings with

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

AGrace — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 05:29:55 GMT

Hi Loz,

A very bold move on your behalf, good on you for speaking up.

The passing of Robin Williams is another reminder that every 43 seconds around the world we lose someone to suicide. It's a global issue that needs to be tackled bravely and delicately. We need to lose the stigma and break the silence.

AGrace

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Neil_1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 07:46:22 GMT

Loz

Thank you for commencing this thread. I had come on with the purpose to do just this - as a remembrance to a person who bought so much laughter and joy to people - the late, the brilliantly funny, Robin Williams.

How would the normal run of the mill person know just who has depression, etc. I hadn't even considered that he suffered. But heard an interview today that he often did drugs, alcohol to try to make things seem a little "better" for him.

RIP Robin Williams.

To Loz: well done for the stand you made today - and I hope that it helped the person and the bully was either shown the door (unlikely) or at least put in their place.

To Amber: every 43 seconds!!!! That's unimaginable. Again, I had no idea.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

white knight — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:03:36 GMT

Yes, his death rocked me as it did many around the world.

I have built up resentment for humans that dont even try to understand those with depression. Why wouldnt people at least try? It makes no sense to me.

We humans have a long way to go. There are some things that take an evolution to make change and awareness of mental health issues AND peoples desire to understand will takes decades IMO. It isnt acceptable in my eyes.

So, like many things in this imperfect world, I'll just have to "go with the flow" and accept this. In the meantime we try to fill in the gaps as best we can.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

geoff — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 15:04:16 GMT

dear Loz, I knew that he suffered from depression, but when the news came on and told us I was shocked, as he was indeed a brilliant actor.

When you see him in 'Good Morning Vietnam' there are periods where you could see where his depression was coming from, I realise it's part of the movie but his true colours come through.

Unfortunately he joins the list of comedians who also suffered from depression. Geoff.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

elouisef23 — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 01:14:52 GMT

I too have been touched by the news, having grown up watching his films it feels so personal! SO great that you stood up for the lady being bullied at your workplace. I so hope Robin's death will aid in the stigma around depression and suicide being alleviated and greater understanding and support for those suffering. I try to take comfort in the fact that at least he fought his illness and was able to achieve so much in his 63 years.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

RoseBlue — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 02:45:29 GMT

Thank you for this string.

I want to add my voice: this is so sad. Sad for Robin (because on our good days we know there is an answer, and we don't have to end our life to end the pain). Sad for those who loved him, because our loved ones really would do anything they can to help us. And sad for all of us, because one of us hasn't made it. And that reminds me that success or failure is not a foregone conclusion for any of us, but a challenge we face every day.

Truly a tragic loss: not because Robin was famous, but because he was human.

😞

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Chloekat84 — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 03:45:05 GMT

Soo sad and depressed to hear about Robin Williams death! Imm sure many of you have heard the very sad news of Robin's passing. Robin suffered from bad Depression and may have taken his own life as he couldn't bare living with this horrible disease that we many face every day. I just wish he had access to forums and sites and such nice people as all of you than this tragedy could have been prevented. Thats all i have to say for now. This news has saddened me deeply :'(

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

joey — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 09:43:58 GMT

I came here looking for this post which I knew I would find. I have noted of late the way I am affected by celebrity suicides. I don't know if it's because there is more media about them or some other reason but they really affect me and not in a good way. The publicly is good in raising awareness and acceptance. In reducing stigma. But it can be bad for me. There have been some criticisms about the 'now you are free genie' comment and I think what they are saying (that's it's risky) is true. I thought this before I read the criticisms. Because I relate to the comment. I relate to the suicides. I am sad about them and for them. I am sad for their families. But it's beyond that. I am sad for me. And then I get thinking if they are 'allowed' to do it why can't i. If the public is generally supportive of them then maybe they would support me.

I know it's not like that. That no one said that Robin Willims (or Charlotte Dawson) who triggered this in me a few months ago is 'allowed' to go. But a part of me feels like they have something I want.

i don't know why I am sharing this. I am not trying to be unhelpful or take away from the tragedy. I guess I want to know if anyone else is affected like this or maybe can help me. I know it affects me. But I keep on going back and reading every article. Looking for details I don't need.

Joey

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Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Jo3 — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:34:02 GMT

So sad and depressed to hear about Robin Williams, I wish so much that the stigma of depression was not there. It needs to stop and let people open up about suffering depression. People out there need to be more compassionate and have empathy towards mental illness.

I now have decided that I will not hide my depression anymore; I will tell whoever asks me "how are you". No more hiding. People need to know that depression is a serious mental illness that does not need to be put away.

RIP Robin Williams

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Ellmo — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:15:26 GMT

Hi Loz,

Good on you for sticking up for a friend. I am sure that friend will be forever grateful.

The passing of RW also hit home for me as I've recently lost a close family member (2 weeks ago), albeit from an unrelated condition. RW feels like your wacky uncle who everyone loves and wants at their party.

It's heartbreaking to know that he wasn't able to over-come his demons and makes me afraid that maybe I won't be able to over-come my own grief, or that I won't be able to see the warning signs in other people.

If RW was able to mask it so well- who else is masking? I know I mask all the time, not wanting to burden people with my 'poor me' stories (<-- afraid people will think that about me) and not being the type of person to want others to see the 'real me' for fear of judgement.

I have had the same recent feelings of suicide crossing my thoughts- yet I know I don't have it in me to ever go through with it- I just would never do it, but I've thought about it many times. I was afraid to tell my dr this today, with fear they'd take me seriously!

My point is that I can empathise and I applaud your actions. I hope you feel well soon.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Neeceyrose — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:21:34 GMT

Proud of you 🙂

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Neeceyrose — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:24:59 GMT

Totally with you Jo. It is tiring to,pretend I am "fine." I am going to tell how I really feel the next time someone asks. I wonder what the reaction will be? I don't know but it is time to stop pretending.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Vegetarian Marshmallow — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:14:27 GMT

Loz, this is just my opinion, but if you can bring yourself to, I think it might be more comforting to the person if you voice your objection right away when the bullying happens, rather than going to the boss afterwards? I think the more personal support, rather than administrative support, might carry more weight. And I think that the immediate feedback will be more likely to sink in to the bully that their behavior isn't okay, rather than they go away and only later get some "hidden" "official" scolding, and say "Yes boss, never again!", but just go away thinking "What the hell, stupid snitch.".

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links, but there's an article I liked on Cracked called "Robin Williams and Why Funny People Kill Themselves". It's quite simplified, but I thought it brought up a nice viewpoint.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

HelenM — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:10:47 GMT

I have found Robin William's death to suicide very upsetting. As someone who suffered from episodes of depression he will have known all the views on suicide including his own. I attempted suicide twelve years ago and although I very much believe it is not the answer, I also know that my mind works differently in that state.

That's what makes me cross. Many people don't seem to realise that depression can kill. They seem to think that the

sufferer makes a rational choice.

beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Jo3 — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 21:50:54 GMT

Hi Helen

I have to agree with you in that RW's death has shattered me and I am sure a lot of other people. It does make me very angry when others in the community don't understand depression or how serious it can be.

When depression strikes and you are so low in your life

suicide is the first thing that I think of, yes depression can kill.

Take care Helen

Jo xx

beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

HppyCamel — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:11:12 GMT

Hi Loz,

Good job talking to your boss about the bullying situation, I don't think I could do that, i generally try and stay out of the conversation when it comes to coworkers bitching about other coworkers, or bullying each other.

I don't normally concern myself with celebrity deaths that much, occasionally one might impact me more than others, in this case for Robin Williams, it seems to have hit me much harder than ever before, probably due to it being a suicide, and growing up watching his movies, I even went and saw his stand up show 'Weapons of Self Destruction' a few years ago.

Wish I had the strength like Jo and neeceyrose to say how I really feel, but I think I'm a ways off that yet. It reminds me of something I read a little while ago, supposedly something written by a child. "Adults are funny, when asked 'how are you' they always say 'I'm fine' even when they're not", and that is pretty much how I've been for the past number of years.

Anyway, Goodbye Robin Williams, it was very sad to hear he lost his battle with depression, hopefully some people can learn from this and raise awareness. The world will be a whole lot darker with him, and it's going to take some time to brighten it up again.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Neil_1 — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 23:59:09 GMT

Dear Loz

I hope that you're still around here - as I would (and I believe a whole host of others on this site) really love to know what happened as a result of you taking the stance you did at your work?

I hope the bully co-worker has been reprimanded or whatever for their actions?

Neil

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

nursepiggy — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:07:19 GMT

Robin's passing ...........a death has never affected me so much! in a weird way I feel I can connect.......he tried hard, got the extra diagnosis, and felt it just was tooo tooo hard.

Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

Loz43 — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:20:52 GMT

The bully has totally backed down, I don't think he even realised he was doing it. He is more helpful and polite to the other person now and other coworkers are prepared to step in if the need arises