Robin Williams: despair, depression, bullying

[Loz43]

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

[Ellmo]

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.

[Neeceyrose]

Proud of you 🙂

[Neeceyrose]

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.

[Vegetarian Marshmallow]

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.

[HelenM]

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.

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[Jo3]

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.

[HppyCamel]

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.

[Neil_1]

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

[nursepiggy]

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.

[Loz43]

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