This morning I woke up to the news that one of the worlds funniest men had died. In later news reports it became apparent that he had taken his own life.
I remember coming home from school to watch Mork and Mindy and being a fan of him ever since. There was always a serious message shared during each episode in Mork's report back to his boss in
space.
Jason Manford, the UK comedian shared this from the show on his FB page earlier and I think it sums up beautifully how when your head is in the wrong place, all the positive thinking in the world can't make you feel any better with out help from others.
"Mork & Mindy: In Mork We Trust (#1.21)" (1979)
Orson: The report, Mork.
Mork: This week I discovered a terrible disease called loneliness.
Orson: Do many people on Earth suffer from this disease?
Mork: Oh yes sir, and how they suffer. One man I know suffers so much he has to take a medication called bourbon, even that doesn't help very
much because then he can hear paint dry.
Orson: Does bed rest help?
Mork: No because I've heard that sleeping alone is part of the problem. You see, Orson, loneliness is a disease of the spirit. People who have it think that no one cares about them.
Orson: Do you have any idea why?
Mork: Yes sir you can count on me. You see, when children are young, they're told not to talk to strangers. When they go to school, they're told not to talk to the person
next to them. Finally when they're very old, they're told not to talk to themselves, who's left?
Orson: Are you saying Earthlings make each other lonely?
Mork: No sir I'm saying just the opposite. They make themeslves lonely, they're so busy looking out for number one that there's not enough room for two.
Orson: It's too bad everybody down there can't get together and find a cure.
Mork: Here's the paradox sir because if they did get together, they
wouldn't need one.
We live in a time when spending time on social networks has taken over the time we spend being social in real life. The streets have been quiet this summer holidays as the children have been inside on their games rather than outside making up their own games.
We are all touched by depression and sadness at some point in our lives and it's our ability to ask for help or acknowledge that we can't do it alone that helps us through. Unfortunately for some, they can't see their way through this.
I have friends who suffer with
depression and in their dark times they can barely move but in their up times they light every room they enter. More needs to be done to raise awareness of and take away the stigma that mental illness has.
The world has lost a comic genius who was universally loved, maybe this will take the step towards acceptance and care for mental illness a step further forward. I haven't
seen a single negative comment about Robin Williams, unfortunately unlike poor Peaches Geldoff who was instantly slated for being selfish.
Lets hope that out of his darkness others can find the strength to seek the light and ask for help.
Darren 'nanoo nanoo' Checkley
If you need somebody to talk to the details for our local Samaritans are here - http://www.samaritans.org/branches/coventry
