I was really sad to learn about Robin Williams’ death & it’s even more tragic to learn that he committed suicide. For my generation, he was a very significant person who made many valuable contributions in the entertainment industry and many other areas. When I learned of his death, I of course thought of all the different roles that he played and only recently learned about his struggle with addiction & depression.
Depression is nasty stuff & we would be wise to be sensitive to people who are struggling in this area. Cliche’ & quickie one-liners don’t usually help people who are depressed. The “snap out of” talk, “pick yourself up by your boot straps”, “it’s all in your mind” along with other band-aid phrases can sometimes be nothing more than vaporous cotton candy, frothy & flimsy. If you know someone who is wrestling with depression, here are a few helpful tips:
- be gentle & patient
- genuine prayer is always valuable!
- giving them some company can sometimes help
If you’re struggling with depression, here are some things that may help:
- keep some regular routines: prayer, Bible time, church, going to sleep & waking at normal times
- make healthy choices – food, sleep, water, relationships, . . . .
- stay connected – isolation often makes depression worse
Let’s be sure to pray for the family of Robin Williams!