tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post1423575498145455917..comments2023-09-15T05:36:24.265-04:00Comments on Marijke: Nurse Turned Writer: Why did the Robin Williams news hit so many so hard?Marijke Vroomen-Durninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14436563110710429784noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-54505973833507786142014-08-25T21:10:05.960-04:002014-08-25T21:10:05.960-04:00I remember when I trained as a medical student the...I remember when I trained as a medical student there were many institutions called 'insane asylums'. Today almost all of them are gone or renamed euphemistically as behavioral health institutes. Except for public facilities, ore academic centers there are no mental health facilties that have coordinated or managed care. Mental health institutions were closed down due to the advent of more effective psychotropic drugs, and also to elimnate 'warehousing' of the chronically mental ill. Today there are few available, most treatment is done in an outpatient setting which is often not adequate. If we can manage medical illness, then we should be able to do the same for dysmorphic brain disorders. The entire medical profession needs to get off it's duff and lobby for better mental health care. It will pay dividends for the rest of medicine for surely other medical conditons will have better outcome with a true Mind-body connection.Gary M. Levinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16205704913440150198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-23700862401154703532014-08-12T14:55:52.872-04:002014-08-12T14:55:52.872-04:00I've been in a funk about it all day. He reall...I've been in a funk about it all day. He really was a star. You post really hit home for me. Thank You Marijke!Michele C. Hollowhttp://petnewsandviews.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-49919509400596924572014-08-12T13:50:48.298-04:002014-08-12T13:50:48.298-04:00Thank you for another excellent viewpoint regardin...Thank you for another excellent viewpoint regarding depression and suicide Marijke. Having lived with the spectre of depression in our lives for the past 20 years with Mr. B, it feels like we've come no further now than in the beginning, when it comes to awareness and talking and treatment. <br /><br />The words "mental illness" and "depression" cause needless uncomfortable silences in conversations. We need to get over that stigma and start treating these diseases like any other physical disease. Talk about them. Raise the issue. Share resources. Care.<br /><br />Let's keep talking, and not let the subject drop as Robin's passing fades behind other news. It's a big world and a big problem, but we can all help if we refuse to sweep the subject under the carpet. <br /><br />BunkyPamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17287009914490065238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-28083598317795911362014-08-12T12:05:20.810-04:002014-08-12T12:05:20.810-04:00Very thoughtful writing. Thank you for reminding u...Very thoughtful writing. Thank you for reminding us that Robin's death may open up wounds for many who have lost someone to suicide. It is always good to be ready to have that conversation, or to give that hug......Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11624125258069082914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-21575953695127849422014-08-12T10:57:40.271-04:002014-08-12T10:57:40.271-04:00Yes, you are right. But those baby steps are so sm...Yes, you are right. But those baby steps are so small that the movement just seems too slow. :-(Marijke Vroomen-Durninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436563110710429784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-36283010062468752552014-08-12T10:52:43.939-04:002014-08-12T10:52:43.939-04:00The conversation will start as many times as it ne...The conversation will start as many times as it needs to. Each time, it takes one tiny baby step further. <br /><br />Think about what this news would have been like in the '60s or '70s. The real cause of death would have been hushed up if possible and if not, I believe the reaction would have been very different than it is today. I think people would have fallen back on fears and misconceptions and found a way to demonize the man and the illness. Now we have an outpouring of support, and I'm starting to see people referring others to help lines and charities. There's a long way to go but it's very different than it was. It takes time to change public attitudes and if you think back as far as you can remember as an adult, there has been major change already.<br /><br />Paulineeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04576271761708743546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-25501764279286538642014-08-12T09:57:54.612-04:002014-08-12T09:57:54.612-04:00Thanks Beverly. I purposely didn't comment on ...Thanks Beverly. I purposely didn't comment on the comedian being deeply sad - that's been discussed in many places already and it's a bit of a stereotype for many of the edgier comedians. <br /><br />I think someone on my FB page made a very good comment that addresses the first question - "he''s a reminder that for many, there is no "well"...there's only the time between now & losing to your inner-demons"<br />Marijke Vroomen-Durninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436563110710429784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-87548764281349344752014-08-12T09:37:44.995-04:002014-08-12T09:37:44.995-04:00So the question must be asked: is the treatment re...So the question must be asked: is the treatment really effective? Perhaps so, for some (or many). But I guess there must be many for whom it is not. Because if someone with his resources couldn't get it right, you really have to wonder...<br /><br />Interesting post, Marijke. But I think you have missed the irony factor: the incredible funny man who was, deep down, so sad. The tears of the clown thing. Unlike PSH, Williams made so many happy with his performances. He was so versatile and so gifted. Today I was imaging Robin Williams in conversation with the late greats Maya Angelou and Kurt Vonnegut. What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall beside them...Beverly Akerman MSchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06049705953923022347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-5395004905353647312014-08-12T09:27:00.771-04:002014-08-12T09:27:00.771-04:00You're right Pippa. How many times do we have ...You're right Pippa. How many times do we have to begin? Marijke Vroomen-Durninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436563110710429784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-16868842355997741572014-08-12T09:22:24.706-04:002014-08-12T09:22:24.706-04:00I would comment, but I don't know what to say....I would comment, but I don't know what to say. All I know is that I don't usually cry when a celebrity dies, and I cried for Robin. Maybe because I've watched him since his "Happy Days" appearance, and therefore feel like I "know" him, maybe it's because his death reminded me of my cousin who suicided 30+ years ago, or maybe because it drives home the fact that I really, really, don't know why some people survive depression while it's fatal for others. THAT is a mystery I'd love to see solved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659197563728114440.post-44982205368733257712014-08-12T09:19:48.764-04:002014-08-12T09:19:48.764-04:00"they hope that his death will begin a conver..."they hope that his death will begin a conversation about mental health, depression in particular."<br /><br />Will begin? -- for the Nth time! How many times has the conversation begun? I agree with you, Marijke.Pippanoreply@blogger.com