Linda Ikeji: You think they have it all… you even envy them… then they commit suicide

by Hauwa Gambo

The blogger Linda Ikeji, like many across the world, is shocked as to how utterly lovable comedian and actor, Robin Williams lost his life – in an apparent suicide.

Today on her blog, she works through the issues in a way many Nigerians will no doubt connect with:

robin williams

He could make the world laugh but he couldn’t find anything to live for? I don’t understand. Can someone help the rest of us make sense of this?

I’ve been trying to make sense of actor and comedian Robin William’s death yesterday…from an apparent suicide. I asked myself why would a man who seemed to have it all…fame, money, successful career, children, wife, and some things many dream of and only a few have – Oscar win, Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, block buster movies, millions of fans around the world, star treatment anywhere they go..etc…and yet, they take their own lives after battling depression for years.

I’m not an expert on depression, but I used to think depression comes from not being fulfilled in life. When there’s something you desperately want for yourself and you’re unable to achieve it or when you have it all and then you lose it or you lose a loved one, or your business/marriage fails..stuff like that. When I battled depression for a few months back in 2010 it was because I was so unfulfilled. My dreams weren’t coming true, everything seemed hopeless and I just didn’t know what else to do.. but I eventually got over it. I’ve been asking myself, why wasn’t Robin Williams able to get over it?

Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges took to Twitter last night to criticize Robin’s suicide, calling it a ‘selfish act’. Below is what he wrote

‘Suicide is a very selfish act. You don’t think that my life has been hell and I’ve had so many ups and downs now. If I did that what am I showing my children that when it gets tough that’s the way out? No you gotta buckle down ask God to help you. That’s when prayer really comes into effect. Rest in peace Robin Williams I hope you found what you were looking for.’ 
He’s since taken the tweet down and apologized after he was bashed for the comments.
I would like to apologize for the terrible timing of me comments that I made in reference to the untimely death of Robin Williams,’ Bridges wrote. ‘My best friend committed suicide a few months ago, and I was devastated to discover that he did not solicit my help.
‘I am sure that my attitude toward Williams’s death was a delayed reaction of my best friend’s death.’

Robin is my all-time favourite stand up comedian and definitely one of my most loved actors. I don’t understand the world inside his head, I just wish he had been able to fight his demons. He battled depression and substance abuse for most of his career…and you wonder, why? He could make the world laugh but he couldn’t find anything to live for? I don’t understand. Can someone help the rest of us make sense of this?

 

 

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