Zelda Williams and I have something in common. We both lost a parent to suicide.

As a child, you question why your parent left you. There's never an answer that can make things right.

Like countless others, I have also lost a few friends to suicide.

I vividly remember receiving a call from a friend that was having a hard time and she wanted to talk. We planned to meet for lunch the following day. Well, that day arrived and I got a call that she never showed up to work and was asked to go by her house to check on her. So I did and that's when I found her.

Like the child that questions why their parent left them, I questioned why I had to be the one person to find my friend dead by suicide.

I still have a lot of pent up emotions over these deaths, but this is not a pity party. This is a plea for help, but not for me. This is a plea for help for others.

In many cases, those battling depression see suicide as the only resort because of their feeling of isolation and loneliness. In his greatest time of need, Robin Williams felt he had nowhere to turn, no one to turn to, no other choice than to end his own life.That is the real tragedy.

While there are many battling depression that never reach the point of suicide, that doesn't mean they don't feel the same feeling of loneliness, despair and isolation.

As humans, we should strive to do a better job at helping our loved ones, our friends our fellow man. If there's anything we can learn from this tragic death is that we're never alone, but we must do a better job at showing those we love that they're never alone.

If you, or someone you know, are struggling with depression, I'm begging you to please reach out for help.

Please contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline:

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

 

RIP Mom, Carrie, Robin Williams

Robin Williams' Last Instagram

Zelda Williams on Her Father's Death

 

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