Robin Williams

I am deeply saddened by Robin Williams' death. Depression is a serious condition. You never know what another person is going through. His smile and laughter were hiding a tortured soul. I pray for his family, friends, and fans.

This is how I want to remember him.

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please reach out for help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-(800)-273-8255.

The warning signs of depression are: either sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, lingering feelings of sadness or emptiness, loss of interest in activities that used to interest them, feelings of despair or hopelessness. 

Suicide is never the answer. It will get better. With help, it will. Finding the right medicine takes time. It is trial and error. You can also supplement psychiatric medicine with acupuncture, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, exercise, and talk therapy. Please seek help.

Lee Thompson Young

Actor Lee Thompson Young committed suicide last year. He was just 29 years old. He suffered from Bipolar Disorder too. He is best known for the Disney series The Famous Jett Jackson and the TNT series Rizzoli and Isles.

His family has broken their silence and are talking about his death. Read about it here. His family has started a foundation in honor of Young called the Lee Thompson Young Foundation. According to the website, the foundation's mission is to "promote mental health literacy through the Foundation's mission and vision. We envision a world in which mental illness is recognized by all as a treatable, biological disorder and the stigma associated with it no longer exists; a world that supports and encourages wholeness and wellbeing at every stage of life."

What a great mission and vision! I hope that my blog is reaching the same goals. I am not stigmatized by my disorder and have no problem sharing my story. I hope that by reading my blog it demystifies mental illness for you. I hope that by reading my blog you become more empathetic. I hope that by reading my blog you are able to look out for your friends and loved ones who might be battling their own mental illnesses.

Thank you for reading :)

Suicide

I thank God that I've never been suicidal. And that I don't self-medicate with drugs or alcohol like many people with mental health issues.

It makes me sad to see all the suicides that have taken place lately. If you are having suicidal ideation please seek help. Do not use a permanent solution for a temporary problem.

I generally love IOP (Intensive Outpatient Therapy). However, it is really hard to be the only manic person around a bunch of depressed people. I'm too exhausting for them and they get irritated with me. It works both ways. I don't like listening to people discuss their suicide attempts. Life is too precious. The first time I did IOP, during one such discussion of suicide, one man spoke up. He said how could you attempt to take your life when life is beautiful and sacred. I agreed with him. And was glad that he spoke up.

For more information on famous suicides click here and here.

For help contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can call them at 1-800-273-8255.