Depression

When it's not just a bad mood

I don't like writing serious things (mostly). I'm more of a sarcastic writer, with a touch of comedy. However in light of recent events I've decided that some things need to be said. 

Adiós my friend.

A few days ago the great Robin Williams passed away, as we are all well aware. I was (and still am) a massive fan of Robin. He lit up my childhood with fabulous movies such as Mrs Doubtfire and Aladdin and then swooped into my teen years and moved me in movies such as Dead Poet's Society. Not only was he a fabulous comedian but he could delve into the darker side of acting. I loved that. As a lover of the dramatic arts myself I think that the most talented actors are those that showcase their range of talents. An actor that delivers the same (or very similar) performances consecutively for twenty years becomes dull, tiresome, forgettable. Mr Williams never gave the same performance twice. That to me, is pure talent. So I was heartbroken when I woke up the other morning to the news of his death. But what made is all the more devastating was the fact that it was suicide. For someone's only escape to be death, to me is the saddest of all tragedies. 

Suicide is not a joke. We all know that, we've heard the campaigns, been trampled by them. Everyone knows suicide is serious, that it leaves behind a catastrophe of grief and unanswered questions. The fact that this message seems to have finally gotten through is wonderful. But it's not enough. Suicide is the end. Once someone commits suicide there is no bringing them back, no helping them. They're gone. Well of course, I hear you saying, we're not idiots. No you're not. I'm not. We've got the message, suicide is serious. But what people don't seem to get is that depression is too. 

A person's mental health is important. Without it, doing the most simple of tasks seems utterly impossible. Just living is like wading through murky water with an anchor chained to your foot. All you want to do is shake off that anchor. But what the depressed (or anyone suffering from mental illness) don't understand is that it is the anchor that is supporting them, making sure they don't leave this world before they need to. It is the murky water which needs to become clear. Life is not the problem, depression is. 

Depression causes suicidal thoughts. Depression kills. Why is that message not sinking in yet? People don't wake up one day and out of the blue decide to take their own life. Something drives them to it. The most common cause is depression. This is a disease that does not just plague young people, people in hospitals or those already dying. Depression doesn't discriminate. It targets children, the middle aged, the elderly, the rich, the beautiful, the intelligent. Anyone can get depression and it can and will cause so much destruction, in that persons life, that it will drive them to commit the most permanent of acts. But before that it will eat away at that person, laugh at them, pock them, suffocate them. It will take away their purpose, their will, their life. 

Why do I stress this so much? Because people seem to think that depression is something that comes and goes for a few weeks, they think it takes away a person's smile and their happiness. Which it does. It robs you of both. But depression is greedy and once it takes those two things it will try and steal everything else. This is a disease that will make people someone that they are not. So is it really so shocking that it would make them want to die? 

But as we've learned, with the passing of Robin Williams, depression can make us into really great liars, pretenders, actors even off stage. Faking a smile is easy, smiling on the inside not so much. The happiest around you could also be the loneliest, the saddest. Look out for those around you. Don't just assume that because a person smiles and laughs and sings ninety percent of the time means things are all rainbows and puppies inside their head. Ask everyone how they are, not just the people who's mouth turns down. If a friend opens up to you, for gods sake listen. And guess what, just because a person is depression doesn't mean they can't smile or laugh. They will still have brief happy periods, good days. They just won't be like yours or mine. If you are depressed don't be afraid to reach out. Because not only does depression make liars of the depressed but it lies to you as well. It will make you think that death is the only solution, a quick fix. I get it. You only want relief, for your suffering to end. But I'm telling you, life is actually really bloody great. You don't want to miss the opportunity that you have been given because depression is prodding you with the false hope that death will cure you. Death is a permanent solution to a problem that is temporary (if you get the right help). Depression will not last forever and one day it will get better. I don't want to sound like everyone else, and I know that if you are depressed the promise of happy times in a not so distant future won't do much for you, but its the truth.

I know a lot of people who say that they want to help people. They say, "Well one day if I'm famous" or "One day when I'm a big shot lawyer" or "One day when I have more time" that they'll help save the world, the less fortunate, the unhappy. But dear friends today is your day. You have a voice and I have a voice. Doing little things helps. Saving the world isn't about donating large sums of money or becoming an ambassador. It is about using whatever you have in your disposal to make a difference. All I ask is that you use the voice you have been given to speak to those around you. Discuss the tragic passing of this great actor which will in turn hopefully lead you to discuss depression and its serious nature. Ask the people you know if they're okay. If there is someone who you think may be depressed, anxious, not eating enough please, please speak to them. A few words could lead them to open up to you; and if they do then you need to help that person and find them help. You can't save the world alone but you might be able to lead someone to save themselves. 

Xoxo Fangirl Out 

p.s Here are some links that will hopefully help you:

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression

http://www.headspace.org.au/is-it-just-me/find-information/depression

https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/Get_Help?gclid=CMz6p_LClMACFZcnvQodNTEA-w

http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/static/hotlines

http://psychcentral.com/lib/telephone-hotlines-and-help-lines/000173

http://addiction.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Depression_Hotlines