As the world wakes up to the death of Robin Williams and most of us remember and share their funniest memories of him, it is inevitably going to be a sad day for many of us. Why ?
Well, I’m sure that you will know someone who has taken their own lives or someone who has been directly affected by someone taking their own life. Seems unlikely ? Well, it’s a safe bet then that you DEFINITELY know someone who has or will suffer from mental illness in one of its forms, whether you are aware of it or not.
The news of Robin’s apparent suicide will bring some horrible memories flooding back for lots of us. **As if on cue, Michelle wakes up, comes downstairs and expresses her sadness at the news, she’s truly upset by it !**
I reach out to any of my friends and indeed people I don’t know who may be reading this. I joke at times about people wasting my time and bothering me with their problems, well despite those jokes I am ALWAYS here to lend an ear, a confidential and un-judgemental ear if you need to share the burden of anything troubling you.
Please – If you remember a lost one today, crack a smile and chuckle as you celebrate what it was about them that made them so special. If this post makes you think of someone having a hard time right now, send them a quick message to tell them you love them !
I wanted to share these very poignant words I saw posted by Maz Phiri who in turn shared them from Jason Manford.

If you feel alone and down, anxious and low. If you feel deep sadness but can’t find a root cause. If people tell you to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘things can only get better’ or ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’, know that it’s simply not always true. Sometimes it does kill you.
Please seek help. No one will think you’re being melodramatic, I swear. No one will think you’re silly or wasting people’s time. No one will say ‘what? But you’re always so happy, maybe you’re just having a bad day’. For some people, every day is a bad day and they get through it, but sometimes they stop getting through it.
If depression can (allegedly) kill Robin Williams, one of the world’s greatest funny men, well it can get any of us at any time. If the Genie from Aladdin can suffer and the DJ in Good Morning Vietnam can be affected by it, then so can you, or your child or friend or work colleague.
I always remind myself of the quote from Watchmen:
“Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life is harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world. Doctor says, “Treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go see him. That should pick you up.” Man bursts into tears. Says, “But doctor… I am Pagliacci.”
Please. Ask for help. If you have no one or if you don’t want to tell them yet, then ring Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for someone to talk to, or talk to your GP.
The world needs you even if you don’t think it does. I promise, we need you here, now.
Jason Manford

Here is a thread I started which prompted this blog.