Robin Williams’ shocking suicide has put the spotlight back on America’s most misunderstood illness: depression.
The sudden death of the Oscar-winning star and comic genius — whose depression was “severe,” in the words of his publicist — reminds us that sadness can lurk behind the widest smile.
And the word is spreading.
“A tragic reminder that the conversation about mental health CANNOT stop,” tweeted “Girls” star Lena Dunham, who’s been candid about her own struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder. “Money, fame, artistic freedom — none of it is a barrier.”
Indeed, Hollywood is riddled with actors, comics and musicians who have battled mental illness.
Catherine Zeta-Jones has been outspoken about her fight against bipolar disorder.
Williams (right) with his friend and former roommate Christopher Reeve.
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The 63-year-old was a close friend and mentee of comedian Jonathan Winters (r.).
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“Mad Men” star Jon Hamm has opened up about his depression after his father’s death.
Owen Wilson attempted suicide in 2007. His lawyer confirmed that the “Wedding Crashers” actor had been depressed.
Billy Joel, who has battled alcoholism, has described falling into a “deep mental fog” after 9/11.
Comedians, including Richard Pryor, Richard Jeni and Artie Lange, all attempted suicide — with Jeni succeeding.
Clearly, depression is no laughing matter — it will afflict one in six people, yet the public has a hard time recognizing “the blues” as a legitimate illness.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Catherine Zeta-Jones has talked openly about her battle with bipolar disorder.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for DIFF ‘Wedding Crashers’ star Owen Wilson attempted suicide in 2007.
David Livingston/Getty Images Comedian Rob Delaney reposted a blog entry about his battle with depression Monday night, after news broke about the death of Robin Williams.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage Billy Joel described a deep ‘mental fog’ he fell into after 9/11.
Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Matthew Perry has talked about his ‘self-medication’ with alcohol and drugs while battling depression.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images Ellen DeGeneres has said she fell into deep depression after coming out as gay.
Robin Marchant/Getty Images for SiriusXM Jon Hamm battled chronic depression after the death of his father.
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Ashley Judd said she ‘would have died’ if she didn’t go to rehab for her depression in 2006.
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“We have to be ever mindful that depression is a real disease, it is common, it is serious, but it is treatable, and we have to keep talking about it,” said Dr. Harry Croft, author of “Treating Your Depression: Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel.”
“It’s not just weakness of will,” Croft added. “It’s a brain disorder, and it can affect anybody — the rich, the famous and the rest of us.”
Williams, who was believed to have bipolar disorder, admitted to drug and alcohol addiction — a symptom of the enormous pressure he felt to be funny.
“I had 20 years sober before I relapsed,” the “Dead Poets Society” star said in a 2010 interview with comedian Marc Maron. “It’s trying to fill the hole. It’s fear ... You’re kind of going, ‘What am I doing in my career? ...Where do you go next?’”
Mental-health references are all over pop culture today, from the bipolar heroines played by Claire Danes on “Homeland” and Jennifer Lawrence in “Silver Linings Playbook,” to the leads in “Monk” and “The Big Bang Theory” grappling with OCD or Asperger’s syndrome — but the stigma that victims are a danger to others, or the disorders are personal weakness prevent many from seeking help.
“Less than 50% of those with bipolar disorder are receiving any form of treatment,” says Jay Singh, of the Global Institute of Forensic Research.
“It’s easier to admit ‘I’m going to rehab’ than ‘I’m going to a psychiatric hospital to treat my depression,’” added Croft. “But when this happens to someone like Robin Williams, who was larger than life and a celebrity among celebrities, then hopefully more people will become educated about it.”
But can there be a deeper discussion in a society that debates even serious topics in 140-character tweets?
“Star Wars” star Carrie Fisher, whose 2008 memoir, “Wishful Drinking,” details her struggle with bipolar disorder and prescription meds, suggests otherwise.
“I wish Robin peace from whatever unrest raged within him and much more than gratitude for all the joy he gave us and leaves behind,” she tweeted Tuesday.
Lena Dunham on Tuesday tweeted about the importance of keeping a focus on mental health issues.
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But two comedians who suffer from their own form of mental illness struggled this week to bring the issue to the fore.
Comic Rob Delaney reposted a 2010 blog entry Monday entitled “On Depression & Getting Help,” where he wrote, “I deal with suicidal, unipolar depression and I take medication daily to treat it.”
Cult hero comedian Chris Gethard shared a photo of himself that he captioned, “This is the Face of My Mental Illness,” saying it was taken at a moment when he felt “scared and crying...alone and hopeless and completely desperate.”
He wrote that learning “one of his heroes” had died prompted him to act.
“I’m OK with you seeing it,” he said. “If you are suffering, get help. Stay alive.”
Still, experts are unsure whether all the current attention will keep the conversation running, which is the key to solving the complex problem.
“The American public has a short attention span,” says Croft.
“So the more we can bring it to the public’s attention now, while it’s still on the front page, the more we can help people — and hopefully they’ll remember this after all the attention fades.”
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