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Drugs, alcohol, mental illness, and death are not words people would readily associate with beloved Hollywood actor and comedian Robin Williams. The demise and death of a beloved Hollywood actor is always shocking. Underneath the laughter and movie roles however, Williams was facing private issues that could not be seen on the surface. Williams struggled to maintain his sobriety from drugs and alcohol and suffered privately with mental health issues. Williams ultimately lost his battle with mental illness and committed suicide in August 2014, where he was found hanging by a belt.
Robin Williams was an American actor and comedian. He was an inspiration to me because although he had a public battle with alcohol and drugs he maintained his sobriety. He was an accomplished actor, a husband, a father and was an advocate for anti-drug use. Lifetime TV (2014) explains that as a young child Williams was bullied for being overweight. He eventually overcame his weight issues by joining the wrestling and tracks teams (Lifetime TV). He realized at a young age that he was able to make people laugh. At the age of 16 Williams’ parents moved the family to California; he graduated from Redwood High School in 1969. Williams got his big break on the show Happy Days and got his own spinoff Mork and Mindy, which was a huge success. His career took off from there, as he became a staple in movies.
Robin Williams represents the face of success and laughter, mixed with depression and mental illness. Although successful and loved by many, Williams did not seek the treatment needed to heal himself internally. The reasons for not seeking treatment are unknown.
Williams have won many awards and distinctions. Some of them include an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, the National Board of Review Best Actor Award, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. His father Robert worked as an executive for Ford and his mother Laura was a former model. Lifetime TV (2014) states that Williams was married three times, first to dancer Valerie Velardi, then his child’s nanny Marsha Garce, and his third wife Susan Schneider, a graphic designer, who he remained married to until his death (Lifetime TV). Williams had three children.
The major issue confronted by Robin Williams was mental health issues. After William’s death it was well known that he was suffering from severe depression. Depression comes in many forms. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states the two most common types include Major and Persistent depressive disorder. These types of depression can “occur only once in a person’s lifetime, or [people] may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms” (NIMH).
Many of the challenges faced by this group include dealing with the symptoms of depression which includes “persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, decreased energy and thoughts of suicide” (NIMH). These are just some of the systems of depression. Some of the challenges faced by Williams were that while his career was taking off, he was dealing with alcohol and drugs issues. Williams acknowledged these issues and his “difficulties with both drugs and alcohol” (Cooke, Gilchrist & McGowan, 2014).
A motivation for change by the group came from the NIMH. They wanted to improve treatment for mental health issues by “coupling medications with psychotherapy for effective treatment” (NIMH, 2014). The motivation for change after Williams’ death has come from fellow actors and public health groups. They are promoting programs for early diagnosis.
Williams’ drug and alcohol abuse was well known and document, but his bouts with mental illness were not publicized. Cooke states that “mental illness still has many negative associations ” (Cooke, et al., 2014), which could lead to people not seeking treatment. Mental illness is a controversial issue and many people do not want the label of being mentally ill. As previously mentioned, negative associations, social statuses and outright embarrassment could be a deterrent to many individuals seeking professional help.
Some of the literature that was reviewed for this case study was The National Institute of Mental Health, Forbes Online Magazine, The Guardian, and Lifetime TV. These articles collectively offered a good view into the world of depression, and facts about the life of Robin Williams. This case study was interesting and a lot of detail was available on Williams and Depression. Robin Williams was well loved and many people were affected by his suicide. It was interesting because Robin Williams was such a public person, yet he fought a battle (Severe Depression) quietly within.
One of the most interesting facts from this case study is that according to the National Institute of Mental Health, “major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Each year about 6.7% of U.S adults experience major depressive disorder” (NIMH, 2014). This is a large number of people suffering with mental health issues and there needs to be an outlet for them; before it reaches critical status.
I learned that many of Robin Williams’ family and friends did not know that he was suffering from depression, yet alone suicidal. Williams had overcome a huge obstacle by maintaining his sobriety. He was unable to treat his depression however, and it ultimately took his life. This assignment helps to inform my empowerment project because there is empowerment in maintaining mental health. It is essential for individuals to take care of themselves, whether mentally or physically. People must feel empowered to make decisions regarding their mental health, and to seek treatment without fear of being labeled as “crazy”.
References
Biography: Robin Williams. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from
http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-robin-williams
Cooke, A., Gilchrist, A., & McGowan, J. (2014, August 18). Robin Williams, depression and the
complex causes of suicide. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from
http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2014/aug/18/robin-williams-depression-
causes-suicide
Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
Walton, A. (2014, August 12). Robin Williams' Death Underscores Connection Between
Creativity, Depression And Addiction. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2014/08/12/robin-williams-and-the-dark-side-of-the-comedic-mind/
