Robin Williams battled with depression for many years (Picture: AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

The tragic news that Robin Williams has died was an awful way to wake up this morning – but the idea that his death was linked to his long battle with depression makes it that much more tragic.

Williams was such a joyous character to watch on screen: many of us were raised on Mrs Doubtfire, Aladdin and Hook and grew to appreciate not just his comedic work but his serious roles in films like Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo and Dead Poets Society.

If anything good can possibly come out of this awful news, it is that the spotlight has been firmly set on mental health issues. As someone at last coming out of my depression, there are a few things I wanted to share with anyone feeling hopeless and unsure of what to do about it.



1. You are not alone


One of the worst elements to feeling depressed is that you feel like nobody understands what you’re going through. Yet so many people across the world are suffering too – they’re just too ashamed or too scared to say it out loud.

2. There are so many things you can do

For me, a combination of anti-depressants and therapy worked wonders but it is different for each person. The point is, there isn’t one clear answer that will make your problems vanish. But if one doesn’t work, odds are that something else will. The anti-depressants didn’t make my issues disappear but they did make me more able to fight them.

3. It’s so much more manageable than you think

One of the major things I remember my shrink telling me was that the point of our sessions was to pull at the threads of my depression, to take one small piece at a time and give it a closer look. It’s so easy to let it overwhelm you because it does just feel so all-consuming. Yet, when you break it down into smaller chunks, the task is suddenly so much less daunting.

4. Ignoring it won’t make it go away

That dark cloud just got bigger and bigger the more I ignored it. I pulled away from those closest to me and became something of a recluse. I was so angry that nobody had noticed but in reality I had become really good at hiding it. Depression festers. Don’t let it get that far and speak to somebody who can help.

5. The hardest part is often asking for help

Saying it out loud makes it real. It means that people will know the truth. Yet asking for help is the absolute most important step in getting better. My journey began with my GP who was incredibly helpful and understanding – but there are numerous organisations out there you can turn to who will not just tell you to cheer up.

Here’s a list of places to start:

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, aimed at young men feeling unhappy. It has a web chat service, and freephone phone lines. You can find its website here.



MIND is an organisation that aims to make sure nobody has to face a mental health problem by themselves. You can find its website here. The MIND infoline is 0300 123 3393.

It’s an old cliche perhaps to call a Samaritan, but then The Samaritans do such wonderful work. You can talk to them around the clock on 08457-90-90-90.

PAPYRUS is a group that supports teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal. You can call them on 0800 068 4141.

The Depression Alliance can help those around you gain a better understanding of what depression is, and how it affects you. It has a directory of support groups around the country, here.

Students Against Depression‘s website is full of resources and information. It’s just as useful for those worried about a friend as it is if you’re facing depression yourself.

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