Many people say what needs to be said much better than I ever could. And although Robin Williams is gone, I share The Bloggess’ feelings; it’s a trigger to those of us who battle depression every day.

I have heard some amazing fails at advice though the years:

1. I should make you happy enough that you shouldn’t be depressed anymore.
2. If you’re strong enough, you get over it.
3. That shouldn’t have insulted you enough to make you depressed. You’re just being dramatic.

And on and on and on…

Mr. Williams made no bones about how he faced down the insidious demon that is depression; made so dangerous by the fact it convinces you you don’t need help and enabled by a public who thinks getting help is considered weakness. Let me tell you as someone who has looked fondly at a sharp object like it was an exit sign, calling and BEGGING for help was the hardest thing I have ever done. Keeping up with therapy is hard because the demon says to you “You’re fine. You don’t need to go. Just stay home.” The next thing you know,  you’re curled up in a ball and you can’t move and you don’t even know why.

I cannot be presumptuous enough to tell any fellow sufferer that it magically all gets better. But I can tell you that if you give up the fight, you’ll never know. So, make it one week. If you can make it one week, make it another. Then another. Next thing you know, 10 years have gone by and things might actually be better.

Just keep trying. Be HERE. It’s hard, but be HERE; in the present moment. Because you can. And that moment may be awesome.