In the wake of the untimely and tragic death of Robin Williams, the same questions continue to pop up on social media and in various conversations.
Why would someone so universally beloved take his own life? How could someone who seemed so happy, actually be depressed?
Statistically, it is likely that you, or someone you know, is affected by depression, or some other mental illness or mood disorder.
As society’s understanding of mental illness improves, the collective stigma surrounding it is likely to diminish.
To help in the process of bringing more light to this serious issue, my partner and I have been working on a documentary for the past six months that tells the tale of Chris Burns, a man with an incredible history. It’s called Out of the Blues. 
Burns has been living with depression for over a decade. In addition to that, he was drafted into the NHL, had his career cut short after being stabbed in a bar fight, became a professional wrestler, broke his neck in the ring, became addicted to OxyContin, went to rehab, and much more. All the while, raising two amazing sons and being a devoted husband.
Here is the documentary, that has just been released. Please share it with anyone you think could benefit from seeing it. Our entire purpose is to help anyone, who might be suffering in silence, to talk to someone. Anyone.
Depression is as individual as the person suffering from it. One size does not fit every brain and the sooner we understand that then we can start to heal.
One thing i do know is that talking helps. It is essential for family and friends to be open to talking to their loved ones and not sweep it under the proverbial carpet as a family secret.
The more we know the less afraid we are and the better we can understand the humanity of this killer disease.
Thanks for your courage in sharing your story.
Thanks for your comment, Susan, and for taking the time to watch the documentary.
You’re absolutely right, talking is key. I sincerely hope this doc inspires those conversations to happen for people who have been suffering in silence for far too long.
About 18 years ago my doctor kept prescribing drugs for pain and depression as a result of a head injury. After a year of this and not getting better but worse, i confronted doctor and she told me she knew natural ways to heal me but was forbidden by the college of physicians to even advise me on these alternative methods. I was devastated to hear this. I stopped my medication and smoked a lot of pot which seemed to help much better. I haven’t smoked pot for 10 years now, but this experience made me realize the quick fix methods for dealing with issues like depression. Depression is not something to be ashamed of. Talk with friends and family. People are there to listen and help. I’m reminded of the scene at the end of Monty Python’s ‘The Life of Brian’ where the people being crucified start singing ‘Always Look on the bright Side of Life.’
Great story. Thanks for sharing. I myself have battled depression. And yes we all try to put on a brave face….a happy face. Doctor’s solution was drugs and not really dealing with the root of the problem.
Wow. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, Doug.
Yeah Chris spoke at length about his distaste for mood-altering drugs, which is why he doesn’t take any.
I think due to the prevalence and lobbying power behind the pharmaceutical industry, doctors have, unfortunately, over-prescribed prescription drugs for years now. It’s really a band-aid fix for a deep-rooted problem.
Hopefully the pendulum is swinging back towards a more reasonable, less damaging approach to dealing with depression and other mental illnesses.
But the prescription drug fiasco is a whole other topic, perhaps for another documentary. 😉