When Suicide Triumphs...............

I was quite shocked to hear about the passing of 63-years-old Robin Williams this morning. My devices were turned off early last night so I was unaware when the news broke, until this morning. He was an amazing character and he brought lots of smiles, laughter and happiness into the lives of many across the world.

Christopher Reeves, on how Robin made him laugh in trying times.

What saddens me the most about his passing is the manner in which he went. Until an autopsy clears all doubts, it is presumed that he committed suicide having battled depression for years. While a lot of people might not understand why a person who seems so much fun and is presumed wealthy may have such deep-rooted issues as to resort to suicide, the fact remains that depression is no respecter of status or gender. It is a silent killer, more-so in societies where it is spoken about in hush-hush tones.

While it is easy to condemn those who commit suicide, I can tell you for free that unless you have walked in a person's shoes, you cannot know for sure why they take certain decisions. Yes, suicide should never be an option but the truth is there are certain levels of pain one would get to and view suicide as the ONLY and best option in such circumstance. Those points are usually beyond rational reasoning for the sufferer and it is beyond understanding for those who are oblivious of their situations. This is not to say I support suicide, this is simply asking that we do not condemn those who tow those lines but feel bad for them because they did not get the adequate support they needed at the time or they let go of the inner battles they fought.

Take time out to call your loved ones and genuinely ask how they are doing. Sometimes just having a listening ear and one word of encouragement or a hug is all a person on the brink of suicide needs to pull them back to normalcy. At times like this, I always recall the lyrics from an old but evergreen song by Diana Ross:

 "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)"
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
(Just try)
Take a little time out of your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
(Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
(Just try)
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness you'll see
It's something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Reach out and touch somebody's hand
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

Rest In Peace Robin Williams.