August 13, 2014 (Wednesday)
Robin Williams’ suicide caught all of us by surprise, but those who knew him best were aware of his addictions and mental depression, both of which he had been fighting for many years.
The stories about him in the media have revealed that he was a kind and generous human being, mindful of the needs of others and gifted with a desire to encourage them.
If you are like me, the only side of Robin Williams you ever saw was his public side, presented through entertainment. While he was best known for being a comedian, he was also a very talented actor, and starred in several movies in which he played a serious part.
Suicide hotlines in Texas and across the nation have seen a dramatic increase in the number of calls since his death became public. Some were calls from people with suicidal thoughts, and many were calls from family and friends of those who seem to be in danger.
From all accounts, he sought professional help frequently, was well aware of his psychological problems, and was often in rehab. In spite of his self-awareness and attempts to be helped, he experienced a moment when death seemed the most preferable of all his alternatives.
I could launch into a lesson about causes and prevention of suicide, but in the end whatever I might say would probably not help, because thoughts and emotions are primarily individual and unique in nature.
Let us pray for the families and friends of suicide victims. Loved ones and acquaintances, even remote ones, tend to be stricken with guilt in the wake of suicide. Decide here an now that if someone you know takes his/her own life, it is their own decision. If you see it coming in others (which you probably won’t), pray for those people and do whatever you can to help them to help themselves. While guilt is one feeling you may have, anger is a common emotion, too. Just remember, that person acted in a way that seemed perfectly logical at the time, and probably thought his/her death would be best for you, too. They didn’t do it to hurt you.
We could go on and on, discussing this tragic phenomenon, ever present in the human family. Answers for you, however, will come only after you earnestly seek answers on your own. If you are sometimes suicidal yourself, please seek help. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7 KJV). We are “bound together in the bundle of life” (1 Samuel 25:29 KJV).