A few hours ago, I logged into my Twitter account and learned that the world had lost another legend. Comedy icon Robin Williams has died aged 63 in what is an apprent suicide. Bitterly ironic that a man who spent his whole life making the world laugh was suffering from severe and crippling depression. It's like he sacrified his own happiness and wellbeing just to make the world a brighter place. I will never forget his ball-of-energy performance in 'Good Morning Vietnam', one of my favorite films of all-time. The film's incredible soundtrack of 60s-era hits is also one of the very best, and today I will be playing that absolutely essential soundtrack album in honor of the legendary Williams. The film was the first place that I heard this soul classic by Martha Reeves And The Vandellas, and to this day every time I hear this song, I imagine it being introduced by Adrian Chronauer, the larger-than-life radio DJ that Robin portrayed so perfectly. Like I said, 'Good Morning Vietnam' has one of the finest soundtracks you'll ever set ears on. If you haven't experienced its brilliance yet, here...
Comedian Jason Manford has posted a thought-provoking tribute to Williams in the form of this appeal: "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 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."
