I want badly to wake up tomorrow to a world where Robin Williams is still alive.
I want to wake up to a world in which Mrs. Doubtfire and Aladdin's Genie and Sean Maguire did not succumb to mental illness.
I want to wake up to a world where suicide is not the 10th leading cause of death in America.
I want to wake up to a world in which major depression and bipolar disorder are treated like illnesses instead of scarlet letters.
I want to wake up to a world that embraces genius and supports the fragility and instability that so often accompany it.
I want to wake up to a world that respects people with mental illness because they are people before they are ill.
I want to wake up to a world where no one feels so alone or messed up or out of control that he ends his own life.
I want to wake up in a world where we talk freely about mental illness.
Not just because someone died. Not just because there was a tragedy or a crime or a fiasco.
Just because it matters.
Because he mattered.
Because I matter and you matter and the 3,000 people who committed suicide today matter, and the 3,000 people who will commit suicide tomorrow matter.
Because mental illness matters.
And because, if it happened to Robin Williams, it could happen to me or to anybody like me.
Let's talk.
Eden says
This is so powerful. Just wanted to say thank you for sharing.
marge lawless says
I myself have very deep depression there are days where I lay in bed for day with the lights out wondering why I was given this depresson and times I feel like taking my life. but I think of my children and the friend that have killed them self I have seen first had what the familys go through and I cant say I never will di it im just say im living day to day with this
wen budro says
I'm right there with you. Take care.
vickie couturier says
I totally agree,I was so saddened by his death,,he was a favorite of mine,,and to hang himself that way was just horrible,he must have been in such a dark place,,thisi is a disease that knows no social boundaries,,poor,rich,medium,,its sad that it takes something shocking like this to have ppl be more tolerant to others with depression and mental issues
Margaret Tidwell says
I agree with you 100%!
Robyn Wright says
Wonderful post Tara! I so agree with you. It is sad that it takes deaths like these to make people talk a little more about mental health, but hopefully that will be a part of his legacy - that he caused people to talk about it and try to understand it more and reduce the stigma.
wen budro says
Wow....that was beautiful and profound and so true. Thank you for your writing.
Bernadette C @Aimless Moments says
Its awfully scary that someone with so much and so many around could actually do this. I keep wondering if it happened to him it could honestly and sadly happen to anyone....