I am definitely not one of those people who posts my opinions all over social media. For example, I don’t think just because I am Jewish I am obligated to comment about Israel, or just because I go to Emory I should share articles about the Ebola virus being treated there. I usually scroll through these types of updates on my Facebook with nothing more than mild irritation, and move on with my day. But in the wake of Robin Williams’ suicide, social media has really pissed me off.
I have battled depression for many years. I have witnessed first hand that the majority of people have no idea what clinical depression really is. Sadness is an emotion, which everyone experiences and usually doesn’t last that long. Depression is a mood, and you can’t just think positive thoughts or meditate to get rid of it.
People are talking about Robin Williams as if being funny and being depressed are mutually exclusive. This just proves society’s ignorance about what depression really is, especially bipolar depression. Depression is not a personality trait, it doesn’t define who you are. Robin Williams was not a depressed person “masking” it with humor. He was a talented comedian who happened to suffer from a mental illness he had no control over.
If you really want to raise awareness about mental illness, tweeting about it or writing a status update isn’t the way to do it. Next time you want to say someone is sad, don’t say they are depressed. Next time you want to say someone is moody, don’t label them bipolar. Next time you want to say someone is a neat freak, don’t say they have OCD. Trivializing mental illness only makes it that much harder for people who are suffering to come forward and seek help. Oh, and it also makes you look ignorant.
Once Upon a Time Dating 