Robin Williams

I have not (and probably never will) made a habit of discussing my primary employment on the blog. There is an intentional separation there for the sake of appropriateness. But there are times where my professional experiences allow me some insight that makes a little writing necessary.

The news about Robin Williams has saddened me, as it has so many others. I was a big fan and loved his work. He challenged me to think about things while, at the same time, making me laugh. A lot.

Here's how these two paragraphs are related. I've seen suicide up close. My job has led me into the knowledge of the multiple ways that human beings destroy themselves. No matter how many times I see how many different methods, one item remains unchanged. That hollow, hopeless feeling of despair that accompanies each and every incident. Knowing that you're looking at someone who had reached their limit. It's sad, every time. 

But today's reports that included the details of how and where Robin Williams deprived us all of himself - the man, not just his roles - were far more than we needed to hear. That information is pertinent to the investigation of his death and other than the police, his family are the only people who need to know. 

For the rest of us, the word "suicide" should suffice. It communicates everything perfectly clear - the joy he brought to so many often remained out of his reach. 

And that is where we failed him.

That is where the stigma our society places on drug abuse and depression helped to drive him and his problems into the shadows while leaving the picture perfect facade of his personality standing as a disguise. 

What makes Robin Williams any different than the other thousands of people that will kill themselves this year is that so many of us recognized him and had positive, even loving, feelings for him. The more important difference is that we can't help him now. But his death can raise our awareness of the others in our lives that need someone that cares - without judgement or disdain. Offer your shoulder, offer your ear, offer understanding. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. 

The danger is real. Robin Williams just showed us that. We can learn from it or we can bury someone else, maybe someone much closer to home.