SOME THOUGHTS ON MENTAL ILLNESS, CREATIVITY, AND THE LOSS OF A COMEDY GENIUS

Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)

A great force of laughter left us suddenly and we’re all in mourning here at The Laughter Foundation and beyond. Our message is the same. Laughter heals and can save lives.

It breaks our hearts that the world lost one of the greatest creators of laughter, Robin Williams. We  implore you or anyone you know, who is experiencing deep and dangerous depression, to seek professional help immediately. Therapy can be amazing. Talking it out with a professional. Contact the local suicide hotline in your area if things get really intense; and find a therapist before things get too crazy. And, once you’re on the road to recovery, contact us too. Maybe you can volunteer helping others see the “Light of Laughter”. You’ll be helping yourself too. Remember, there always is a better alternative than ending it all. Seeing life in a new way, a funny way, can literally alter your perceptions of your life in a profound and positive way.

Robin Williams’ life and life’s work is what we will remember. Creativity of genius is often accompanied by deep depression. For the sake of a saner world, let’s all stop stigmatizing mental illness and see it for what it really is: Part of the overall creative process and a deep troubling (but treatable)  illness.

Laughter Foundation’s Steven Alan Green survived dangerous clinical depression, suicidal thoughts, plans and all. And, you can too! He really wants you to know that.

Thank you and thank you, Robin. You were indeed our modern-day Robin Hood of Comedy and we your merry men.

Rest in Laughter.

The staff at The Laughter Foundation