On the lethality of mental illness
We were saddened deeply today to hear that Robin Williams appears to have taken his own life. He was a brilliant, creative mind and a voice for humanity.
I've seen a lot of tributes to him over the past hour or so. Many people have posted clips of his work, quotes, and favorite memories. That's great; it's how we honor someone. But, somehow I feel like we're missing the point.
The point is . . . it's not fucking funny.
EDIT: I am not saying that people are making fun of Robin Williams' death. I am saying that some (not all) people are ignoring the cause of it.
Reports have it that Mr. Williams suffered from depression and possible drug/alcohol abuse. I've also read that he had bipolar disorder. Regardless, what plagued him was lethal, and it plagues so many other human beings across the world.
So, mental illness has claimed another victim. One more powerful voice has been silenced. Can we raise our own in its stead?
Why must we be silent?
It's time our community had an open talk about mental illness and about the pressures that people who live with it face on an everyday basis.
For far too long, mental illness has been the one condition that it is still politically correct to make fun of, the one set of diseases for which it is okay to discriminate against a sufferer.
It's time to raise our voices to raise awareness of mental illness and to help people to understand what it is-- and what it isn't. It is up to us; there is no one else who can do this for us. Together we speak loudly, and we absolutely can make a difference.
Let the conversation begin.
Discussion questions
- Have you lost someone to mental illness? What legacy remains with you from this devastating loss?
- Where can we start to raise awareness of mental illness? We are not too small, but we have to start somewhere.
- What questions do you have about mental illness? What remains unanswered?
- What stereotypes have you heard about people who have mental illness?
- How can we break the taboo?
- How can we break the silence?
Feel free to share your thoughts below, or, if you would rather share your thoughts privately, feel free to note the group (mental-health). We cannot offer psychological help, but we can offer education and understanding. Peace to all of you.
