At LiveTwice we pride ourselves at focusing on the positives of this world – on the acts both big and small that people around the world are doing in order to make our world a little brighter. However, we don’t believe that being positive is about ignoring the negative, or pretending the world is in a better state than it really is. It is about looking for a light in the dark, and seeking to create a light where one cannot be found.
Tuesday morning we all woke to the sad news of the passing of Robin Williams. This is but one of the many tragedies in our world today: this week we are struck again by the horrors of war and hate around the world reported on every news channel, and many of the unreported wars that continue on in the background. It is how we respond to such tragedy that is important.
One common response is to begin to ignore all reports, to cut out the news and burry our heads. It is a supremely tempting offer the harder and darker the news becomes. This solution cannot bring about change. A second response is to add to the negativity. You don’t have to look far through the twitter feeds on the death of Robin Williams to see this response.
The third response I’ve seen is the one that gives hope. It is that of people fighting to make a change. Those who remember the joy that one man has brought into this world, but are also looking for answers to save many others in danger of dying from depression, are rising up all over social media. One of the best examples of this was a friend who, as well as expressing her sorrow and sympathies to his family, donated £3 to Mind, the UK’s leading charity in working “to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support”. She donated £1 for each of her favourite Robin Williams films: Patch Adams, Hook, and Aladdin. It is a small but beautiful way to make a light in a dark situation.
Remember, when communities make a stand together with a heart to change the wrongs in this world, we can change our world for tomorrow.
If you are affected by depression or struggling yourself, please seek help.
Let’s work together to reduce stigma, offer support and change the future for people with depression.