Why does it take a celebrity's death to realize there's a "real" problem and we need to fix it NOW, not later. Don't just sit there wondering what to do...be proactive about it. Robin Williams was a very funny man and capable of hiding his pain from everyone. He was putting on a fake smile and was far more sick than anyone really knew. He was in a state where he was so depressed that he couldn't make clear decisions on his own behalf. Suicide Awareness and Prevention has been an issue for years and is very misunderstood. I have personally known families who have been ripped apart due to some type of Mental Illness and having all of this in the public eye I can just imagine how hard this is for them. In the past year alone I have lost 4 incredible people that I really cared about through acts of Suicide and it wasn't thier fault. Over the years I have lost as many as 10 wonderful people and it always leaves you with the question of "why" or "what could I have done differently". The truth is that if someone is "truly" suicidal they aren't going to go out and tell people, they will find a way to do it. It's very sad, but often that's the case. Those who attempt suicide and don't succeed are often left with family members living in a vegetable state and this isn't thier fault, friends, or even families fault. It feels like a tornado which is quite scary and your life is literaly being ripped apart right in fronot of you. It's a mental illness that needs more research and clinical trials. There are other disorders that co-exist with depression such as Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorders, Schizophrenia, DID, PTSD and Trauma, Abuse, Addictions, Domestic Violence, and stress to name a few. The stigma keeps individuals asking for help because they feel so much "shame" from the problems they have. No one should ever have to feel this way. An individual doesn't ask to have depression or other similar illnesses. Some have a genetic component that puts them at a high risk for developing these while other can be from a tramatic brain injury. So, again this illness has opened the public's eyes on how real and fatal this is. This is a Mental Health crisis we are in and cutting back will create an increase number of hospitalizations and suicide attempts. We need to have residental treatment covered as the success rate of return is less likely.
Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate of any other psychiatric illness. Losing a person you care about should never have to happen to anyone. We need more understanding, more educating, and more advocacy. We need people who "truly" get it. Eating Disorders are "real" illnesses. It isn't about food, your weight, or even wanting to look like someone else. They DO NOT discriminate and not one of us is invincible to the illness. It doesn't matter if you are struggling or in recovery it can and will take your life if you allow it to. Eating Disorders take many lives every year and it doesn't matter if you are a man, woman, your economic status, race, lifestyle, shape, size, or even age. Whether it be Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Compulsive Exercise, or Eating Disoder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) they are ALL very deadly. We do not choose to have an eating disorder, but rather it chooses us. We must look underneath and find the real problem rather than using very unhealthy coping mechanisms. Take a look at your feelings, thoughts, mindset that you have embedded inside your brain from such a very young age. Eating Disorders are about insecurity, self-hatred, feelings of worthlessness and anger so strong you are unable to cope. They are about having a super sensitive personality that would do anything to avoid hurting or even allowing another ED victim suffer. The negative thoughts that tell you "you aren't good enough." You ARE good enough no matter what the eating disorder is telling you. Secrets are what keeps us sick and you are only as sick as your secrets. Please get the help you need before it takes your life too.
I advocate for Suicide and Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention. Do your part by doing a walk, a NEDA WALK, or a Walk out of Darkness, set up a page to raise money and others can donate as well, spread awareness, March in Washington on Lobby Day. We can't just sit here and do nothing!
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