As with everyone am so sad with Robin's passing

As with everyone am so sad with Robin's passing.

I think of all the folks I know that have battled depression, and of the folks I know who have attempted suicide or went through with it.

Then I think of all the talents, resources and intelligence of Robin Williams and I think wow! Think of how much mere mortals struggle against the same monstrous challenge of depression that took the walking god of Robin down.

What we need is ubiquitous, free, super easy access to healthcare, mental health included. The pleas to go get help are well meaning, but a perfectly healthy person can be brought down into depression through interacting with our private healthcare system. ACA is a necessary start, but we need to keep going until we have universal and accessible care. We need the teenager from a working class family to be aware of a counselor a few minutes away from his or her home.

I think again of the gifts he had and the tools he had access to and still depression clawed him to oblivion, we should all have more understanding for the challenges facing our friends and neighbors.

Originally posted on Facebook on August 12, 2014.