It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? You could love three little things so much, watch them grow, they’re in their mid-20s, and they’re inspiring you, and exciting you, and they fill you up with the kind of joy you could never have known.
And yet, something inside you is so horrible or you’re such a coward or whatever the reason that you decide that you have to end it. Robin Williams, at 63, did that today.
- Shepard Smith
Thanks for helping Mr. Smith. Those words, your words, did not help. They hurt not just those who are at the very precipice of that choice, but those dealing with the aftermath of the choice made.
I've been there. Deeply depressed. On the edge, when a turn of the steering wheel would have sent me and my minivan over a bridge. I know what accomplished liars about our pain we can be. We can, especially if we know the drill, because we've been there before, hide everything through our smiles, and our acting. We can make you believe that it isn't really as bad as it is, we can plan in secret.
How we put on a mask.
Those of us who know, know that this death has written a permission slip for others. For if Robin Williams couldn't overcome his demons and his darkness, what hope is there for others? (they will reason)
Coward? You may think it's tough love, but for those on that edge, who've come to that point you are just confirming what they already feel about themselves and what they are. You've just gotten them a step closer.
Shepard Smith apologized today, for the reaction he got was swift.
When called he said this to Mediaite:
I spent an entire hour talking about how much this man affected people’s lives and brought greatness to this world. I was just wondering aloud what could have made this man want to end it all. And it reminds us that we all have responsibility as friends and neighbors to help take responsibility to prevent this from happening. There are people who process suicide as a black-and white-issue. I don’t process anything as black-and-white.
I was sorry to read online the people who see the world in a black-and-white way, and to suggest that they might have a definitive analysis of why he did such a thing. What I wanted to do is celebrate his life and find some meaning in our own lives, since we often do know someone who is reaching out, and we have a responsibility to help that person — maybe a phone call or a door knock is in order.
But no matter how you process it: Look at what this family is going through. I would never presume to know anything about his private life. And if any of his family members and friends were to have seen me use the word “coward,” I would be horrified. I would just to apologize to the end of the earth to anyone who might think that I meant to openly call him a coward.
To the core of my being, I regret it. It just came out of my mouth. And I’m so sorry. And to anyone and their families who see that, I am sorry.
You don't know his reasons, you don't know his demons . . . and you surely don't know his fight or how long he fought
until the weight
always there, maybe lifting for a time
but always returning
was unbearable for one second more.
Shepard do those of us who struggle with depression and suicide ideation, and those whose loved ones are dealing with the pain of a completed suicide ,a favor . . .
With all the following and gravitas you have at Fox News, spend today's program and many more programs talking about and educating about depression and mental health.
No judgements, just good reality, medical, psychology based education. With people who work in the mental health community.
DO something that truly helps.
Help educate about these issues and remove the stigma. So that it's not shameful to seek help. It's as normal as going to the doctor and getting treated for diabetes.
For you are someone who has the power to do that.