The death of Robin Williams is a shock to anyone who loves to laugh. That he died by apparent suicide is a shock to all who love life. That both laughter and life were thought to be loved by one whom we loved is the true tragedy of this incident. Apparently Williams suffered from depression and most of us wouldn’t have known it. We were too busy enjoying his immense talent.

That’s often what happens when we fail to detect someone suffering from depression. We are wrapped up in our own life and not able to detect the life in front of us that isn’t working the way it should. The signs can be there if we know what to look for–the manic style, the emotional highs and lows. These often mask other issues lurking beneath the surface and strangling the life of a person.

It is sad how many people do suffer from this disease. Having once skirted its dark edges I know just enough to appreciate the shrouded mists people walk as they struggle to find their way to normalcy. I have counseled many with clinical depression and understand the immense struggle people have with this disease. There is help for those who struggle with depression. Medication works. Therapy helps. Friends can care and offer support. But at the end of the day one who suffers with depression is alone with their thoughts, moods and feelings. And before the end can come there is choice. The depressed always make a choice even if it is to end their suffering.

During the period of my life when I was skirting the edges of depression I chose to get back into life and move forward. The means I chose were a combination of prayer and selected readings from the Bible and poetry. Let me explain.

I am a believer in the power of prayer. Tennyson said more things are wrought by prayer than imagined and it is true. You have to try it to believe and understand the power that is available from God, the creator and sustainer of life. If you read the powerful Psalms of David when he struggled through times of darkness you begin to understand what can be done with the power of God’s Spirit. It is the untapped source of comfort so little understood in our modern world. Prayer to God helped me climb out of depression.

When I wasn’t reading the Bible I was reading heroic poetry. Somehow words shaped into powerful cadences and rhythms worked on another part of me that responded. The one poem that resonated above others was by Tennyson, called “Ulysses”. The last line, “…to strive to seek to find and not to yield” told me to gut it out and keep going. No matter what the obstacle it could be overcome.

This combined approach helped me choose a course forward. Through the years when I have needed a refresher this has been how I have kept an even keel in life. I know circumstances are different for other people and other combinations will be needed. But the point is to keep trying. Keep working on getting better. Choose life that you may live!

Depression can be managed. It can be overcome. It does not have to end in tragedy. Get help. If you detect it in a friend or family member take it seriously and be a support. Call them. Keep in touch. Tell them by words and actions that you care.

It is a true statement that if we think every day will be the last day of our life someday it will come true. But we don’t have to choose the day. We can choose to live until that day comes.