Robin Williams and the Growing Epidemic of Depression

By: Chris Robertshaw

Robin Williams’ suicide shocked the world. It seems unfathomable that someone so manically funny, who brought so much laughter into our lives, could be plagued with depression.

As his beloved alien character Mork might have said … “Does. Not. Compute.”

Outwardly, it appeared that he had everything to live for — loving family, adoration from fans, respect of his peers, and financial and artistic success.

But Williams suffered lifelong struggles with substance abuse (alcohol and cocaine), depression, and bipolar disorder. Days after his suicide, his wife announced that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which can produce depression, even in people with no …read more