Early last week, Oscar winning comedian Robin Williams was found dead at his home in California. The legendary comic genius and gifted actor, who was loved by many and will be remembered for his unique talents, was of late battling severe depression and committed suicide.
In the wake of Williams’ suicide, many have asked, why? Why would someone who was so talented and had so many skills commit suicide? Rumours started spreading and memorials started making the rounds. People mourned. But what we really need to do is learn from this devastating story so that we can help ourselves and our loved ones.
Depression most often is related to symptoms, which cause distress in a person such as bad moods, loss of sleep and appetite, weight loss or gain, diminished interest or pleasure, loss of energy and so on. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from these symptoms choose to not report them for a variety of reasons, mainly the stigma of mental illness.
Suicidal thoughts probably go through the heads of people more often than one may think. A mental illness like depression is very common and increasing in number. In fact, the World Health Organisation believes that by 2025 depression will be the most common disease that will surpass even heart disease, diabetes and cancer. However, while depression can be cured, the majority of the persons suffering from the condition do not seek treatment for fear of being labelled or judged. Unfortunately, as already pointed above, there is a lot of stigma associated with mental illness and some individuals think that they can insult others with having a mental illness.
It is pertinent to note that this disease can affect each and everyone in our society. No one is immune to being depressed. Children, adolescents, elderly people and adults in their prime can all battle symptoms of depression – which can affect not only their health and their quality of life, but also that of their loved ones, family and friends.
While depression is curable if the persons involved seek treatment, I believe that with a little help and focus on preventive measures, we can help people not to end up in a situation where they have to think about ending their lives. In this regard, I believe that we can unite over Robin Williams’ tragic death and use it as a powerful wake-up call, something which we desperately need. This is because sometimes I feel that in our materialistic society, the quest for money has become our priority. Happiness, cannot come from millions in cash, but from a sense of purpose in life where one feels he is useful and contributing something.
Last but not least, it is important to point out that there is no disgrace in seeking professional help and advice from psychiatrists. It is not shameful. Instead, those who poke fun or try to abuse someone who has experienced or is experiencing mental health problems should be punished.
The point of writing this article is simple. I want to generate some awareness because I believe that we can help save some lives if we treat the issue of depression in the right way. We need to avoid situations from reaching a crisis point and people to have hope and manage stress so that they can avoid depression. In fact, I would like to urge and appeal to anyone who is battling depression in silence and may be reading this column to seek help and assistance, because there is no shame in doing so.
Gianni Pittella
On a completely different note, Gianni Pittella, president of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament visited Malta again for the IUSY World Festival earlier this week.
Pittella - with whom I worked closely during my tenure as a Member of the European Parliament when he was Vice-President of the same Parliament - is an ally to Malta and the Labour Party and is a person with an affinity for our island.
Indeed, it was a pleasure meeting Gianni Pittella again and welcome him to Malta, as I did a few months ago when I was still Head of the Labour Party delegation in the European Parliament. I am positive that his input in the discussions held with the many young people who visited Malta for the IUSY World Festival to discuss ways in which poverty could be relieved was pivotal.
I know for a fact that President Pittella is a very wise man and hope that some of his socialist and democratic ideas will be taken up by these young people and leave a mark on their discussions, not just now but in the years to come because, lest we forget, today’s younger generations are tomorrow’s leaders.
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