Suicide is never something people want to talk about, and it is something that is difficult to comprehend given our fear of our own power and mortality. Nevertheless, it is something that is in the general conscious at the moment with the recent passing of Robin Williams.

We came across this very interesting piece and felt it pertinent to share the thought of this woman at this time. We should make it clear from the outset that there is no judgement or opinion in this matter, it is simply sharing her thoughts and experience of losing her father. It can perhaps offer some sense of solidarity to the massive grief so many of us feel at losing a legend.

Suicide is a decision made out of desperation, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness. The black hole that is clinical depression is all-consuming. Feeling like a burden to loved ones, feeling like there is no way out, feeling trapped and feeling isolated are all common among people who suffer from depression.

People who say that suicide is selfish always reference the survivors. It’s selfish to leave children, spouses and other family members behind, so they say. They’re not thinking about the survivors, or so they would have us believe. What they don’t know is that those very loved ones are the reason many people hang on for just one more day. They do think about the survivors, probably up until the very last moment in many cases. But the soul-crushing depression that envelops them leaves them feeling like there is no alternative. Like the only way to get out is to opt out. And that is a devastating thought to endure.

Until you’ve stared down that level of depression, until you’ve lost your soul to a sea of emptiness and darkness… you don’t get to make those judgments.

You can read the full article here from The Huffington Post.