Remembering Robin Williams

As for a lot of people my age, our childhoods consisted of watching many films by the late great Robin Williams, a true comic genius who could fill a whole room with laughter and light up the place just with his presence. I was incredibly saddened to hear of his death and he is one of the few celebrities whose death really hit hard, as his films helped me get through a large amount of sad times. Whether he was impersonating a scottish nanny, or a frantic radio DJ or even a floating blue entity, Williams' comedic timing and skills of improvisation could appeal to everyone with his great energy and amazing eye for popular culture, the world has lost one of its true greats and comedy will never be the same without him.

There have been a large amount of misinformed comments spread around social media websites and across many YouTube videos, with such phrases as "what did he have to be depressed about" and "he was so rich" being thrown in all the time. As someone who had once suffered from depression, not to his extent but to some extent, I can tell you from personal experience that depression has nothing to do with what you own or those who are around you, whether they're your closest friends or closer enemies, depression revolves around the sufferer feeling inadequate and helpless against everything. Unable to see themselves as ever doing anything good and feeling worthless in such a huge world, that you don't know what your own purpose is.

But, what good is it to remember someones death, when we could all remember the great life that Robin lived. He was best known for being a great actor (an oscar winning one at that, with his brilliant performance in Good Will Hunting) and his amazing ability to improvise nearly all of a script. Given That most of his lines in Aladdin were improvised, the animators decided to give him ultimate freedom in saying what he wanted as the genie and animating the film around Williams' extraordinary voice performance.

Williams was also one of the funniest stand up comedians around, with his "weapons of self destruction" tour being my personal favourite, featuring him talk about everything from politics to heart surgery to viagra, his shows featured his brilliant energy and it would not be surprising at all if I had heard that his shows were improvised. Most of his comedy, both in film and on stage is instantly quotable, from "10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck" to "God gave men a brain and a penis, but only enough blood to run one at a time". His comedic talents will be forever remembered, and he will always be one of my favourite actors.

For anyone reading this who has also, or currently is suffering from depression, please do not ever think you are inadequate. No one is here to not have a purpose, everyone can do whatever they like with their life, if this does apply to you, please please please, just talk to someone or anyone, chances are you'll find more people to talk to than you had ever thought. Talk to friends and family members, or even call up the depression and anxiety helpline (0300 5000 927). Harming yourselves or thinking of something like suicide will not help anyone, especially yourself. Just remember that when things seem like they're at their worst, everything can only get better so don't beat yourself up over it, and I beg you to never think of causing harm to yourself or anyone else. Things will always get better... Believe me, I had horrid thoughts and wanted to end it all, but I spoke to someone about it, and now I'm happier than ever.

Oh captain, my captain...You're free.