Robin Williams dead at 63. :(

[Jezza]

Very sad to hear the news that Robin Williams has passed away.

I always thought he was one of the most gifted comedians you'll ever see and some of his films have always been fondly remembered by me personally. Some that come to mind include Dead Poets Society, Mrs Doubtfire, Jumanji, One Hour Photo and Good Morning Vietnam.

His death really demonstrates that depression is a silent killer and is indiscriminate to anyone. There needs to be more understanding of the disease before we can address the issue of helping those with depression and potentially those wanting to go as far to end their life like Robin has done.

I woke up yesterday and heard the news this morning and it's just weird to know that someone you've never met but are very familiar with through television and grew up watching is no longer here anymore.

RIP Robin Williams

[Wokko]

Being a sufferer myself (mostly anxiety, but depressive episodes have occurred, anyway, similar sentiment) and coming from a line of sufferers of depression who mainly self medicated (drug & alcohol addiction run rampant through my family tree) I can sadly say that society doesn't look kindly upon sufferers of mental illness. They're either considered dangerous and scary if there is obvious insanity or lazy, no good and pathetic in the absence of obvious crazyness.

My girlfriend's family laugh and mock her for 'claiming' to be mentally ill, despite 2 decades fighting alcohol abuse, childhood molestation from a grandparent, multiple and consistent diagnosis and many years of medication. I have found their attitudes to be worryingly prevalent.

When someone with depression finally gives up they cop the standard "coward" treatment just as Williams did, or if it was an overdose we get "junky scum" , with the odd smattering of judgemental sympathy. Society has a long way to go in regards to mental illness, and we in the Western world are some of the better societies to live in where it concerns this issue (over medication aside).

[Morrigu]

^that is unfortunately so true - the misconception that depression is a state of mind that people can choose to " get over" remains sadly the majority opinion.

I spent years working in addiction and whilst it was choice for a few on the whole addiction was " self medication" a way to deal with abuse, neglect, self loathing from a range of experiences - a way to forget, to numb the pain if only for a short while.

Strange how we laude " a big night out" but condemn those who use alcohol or drugs or whatever as " weak"

Anyway back to Robin Wiiliams - what a mind - so sharp, so quick and just so damn funny - genuinely belly laugh funny - you don't get that very often.

Understanding that David may require a brown paper bag to quell the hyperventilation - damn I loved the Bird Cage! ( and just about every thing he did really especially the stand up - brilliant- his Elmer Fudd version of Fire anyone?)

Vale Robin you will be sorely missed

[think positive]

[Tully]

I don't get how ppl mourn someone they never met.. I enjoyed Mrs Doubtfire, but I never thought of Robin Williams every day... all this outpouring of grief for someone I never met makes me feel uncomfortable...

[John Wren]

[think positive]

Great article. I'll add my 2 cents. The guy was larger than life, seemingly happy, bringing happiness and a break from reality to so many. My generation grew up with mork and Mandy, mrs doubt fire, good will hunting and all his other brilliant funny interpretations, he gave us a reason to smile, to cry, to laugh and to yell GOOD MORNING VIETNAAAAAAM!

He gave us a break from real life.

This generation is losing a lot of the stars we grew up watching, singers actors, etc etc. it shows us our own mortality.

To lose Robin to a disease like this, to see him so overwrought with grief and sadness he can't face life anymore, it's scary, it's sad, he gave us and the world so much, but the world couldn't give it back.

I maybe hero worship too much. I still can't read a Diana magazine, Peter Brocks death broke a piece of my heart off, (I at least met him!) I cried buckets when Elvis died, when Whitney Houston died, hell I cried last week when Maxy did his farewell lap!

Do I wish I was different? No, I wouldn't change a thing, in the world of roller coaster emotions, the lows can be shit, but my god the highs are worth it.

[stui magpie]

^

You ride the emotional roller coaster and like the ride.

I keep the few emotions I have on a leash. It means the bounce between the lows and highs is a lot more flatlined.

[1061]

[stui magpie]

[Proud Pies]

Just finished watching Robin Williams again in Patch Adams. This film always brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes, but tonight there were more tears than before.

[Tully]

I appreciated the article John Wren, but I feel more anguish at a wasted Collingwood season. That may be harsh and unwarranted in some peoples opinion, but that is how I feel. I am more gutted by my football team missing out in September than Robin Williams hanging himself... come at me

[swoop42]

[David]

[stui magpie]

Will Anderson. Respect.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/television/adam-hills-epic-rant-at-westboro-baptist-church-after-their-threat-to-picket-robin-williams-memorial/story-fni0cc2a-1227030678878

If you're a precious petal who feels tainted at going to a news limited site then don't worry about the text, go straight to the youtube video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60ETdhgLA8U

Will Anderson 1, Westboro church, minus infinity.