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Robin Williams' Death Shows Suicide Can Strike At Any Age. Here Are Ways To Prevent It

This article is more than 9 years old.

It is being reported that Robin Williams, one of the greatest comedians and dramatic actors of his time, has died through an apparent suicide. It's hard to fathom that someone who not only brought us laughter and joy as Mork, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Genie but also affirmed the deeper value of living in Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, and Goodwill Hunting, could end up taking his own life. But that's the dark irony of being human.

Another surprise to some might be that Williams would finally succumb to depression, which he'd fought publicly, decades after he seemed to corral his worst demons, including addiction. The popular image of suicide is the one presented in Dead Poets, of a young man unable to come to terms with adulthood. Our picture of suicide often tends to be young, like Kurt Cobain or Sylvia Plath.  That probably comes from our tendency to romanticize depression, a deadly disease that is not romantic.

Looking at the data available from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention tells a very different story. Suicide is nearly twice as common among adults as adolescents. Among middle-aged people, it seems to be on the rise. The highest rates are among men between the ages of 45 and 59. Thirty out of every 100,000 such men take their lives annually, compared with about 9 of every 100,000 women in the same age range. For both men and women of that age, the suicide rate rose about 50% between 1999 and 2009, for reasons that are not entirely clear.

Suicide Rates by age. Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Williams' life brought millions of people laughter and catharsis. His death robs us of that, and robs his family of him. If any good can come of this, it might be to remind us that people of any age can be suicidal.  The CDC says to watch for these warning signs:

  • Talking about wanting to die
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Displaying extreme mood swings

The more severe these symptoms are, the higher the risk is. If a friend or loved one is displaying these symptoms, don't leave them alone. Keep them away from firearms, which are the most common means of self-harm in the United States, and also remove any alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects. And then get help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention help line at 800-273-TALK (8255), or another suicide help line. You can contact a psychiatrist. You can take your loved one to the emergency room.

Not every suicide can be prevented. But the loss of life and the damage done to those left behind make it worth doing the best we can. And survivors often regret attempting to die. I'm reminded of this passage Tad Friend's remarkable 2003 New Yorker study of those who jump off the Golden Gate Bridge:

Survivors often regret their decision in midair, if not before. Ken Baldwin and Kevin Hines both say they hurdled over the railing, afraid that if they stood on the chord they might lose their courage. Baldwin was twenty-eight and severely depressed on the August day in 1985 when he told his wife not to expect him home till late. “I wanted to disappear,” he said. “So the Golden Gate was the spot. I’d heard that the water just sweeps you under.” On the bridge, Baldwin counted to ten and stayed frozen. He counted to ten again, then vaulted over. “I still see my hands coming off the railing,” he said. As he crossed the chord in flight, Baldwin recalls, “I instantly realized that everything in my life that I’d thought was unfixable was totally fixable—except for having just jumped.”

I find this letter, by English comedian Stephen Fry, to be helpful, too. A tip of the hat to science writer Ed Yong for showing it to me. To Fry, depression is a lot like the weather.

Here are some obvious things about the weather:

It's real.
You can't change it by wishing it away.
If it's dark and rainy it really is dark and rainy and you can't alter it.
It might be dark and rainy for two weeks in a row.

BUT

It will be sunny one day.
It isn't under one's control as to when the sun comes out, but come out it will.
One day.

The sun really will come out, if not tomorrow, someday. And it's worth waiting for.

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