Robin Williams death a reminder of mental illness's scope

Mental health professionals in Ottawa say Robin Williamss death by suicide proves that depression can affect anyone, regardless of wealth and fame.

The 63-year-old comedian and actor took his own life at home on Monday after battles with depression and addiction, leading to an outpouring of sadness from around the world.

When you look at people who you think should be happy based on everything they have, it doesn't necessarily translate to happiness within themselves, he said.

If you have a condition like depression those things don't mean as much.

Those who work in the comedy industry said Williamss death is a reminder of the darker side of the business.

"It's not surprising; this is a gladiator type of art form. It's the only one that's like that, said Lamont Ferguson, a comic from California who met Williams twice and is in Ottawa to perform.

If I'm an actor and something goes wrong, I have a whole bunch of people I can blame that on other than myself."

Especially someone with that much energy its hard to maintain that through all the ups and downs he had in his life, said Jason Laurans, who owns the Absolute Comedy club on Preston Street.

Theres a lot of that in this business when youre on stage its such a high [but] to have a week where youre not working, to not have that high, that feeling again of that stage the business is very difficult.

Suicide prevention

Groups that provide support:

• Ottawa Distress Line:613-238-3311
• Kids Help Phone1-800-668-6868
• Child, Youth and Family Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario1-877-377-7775
• Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre:613-741-6025
• Mental Health Crisis Line (Ages 16 and up)613-722-6914
• Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa613-260-2360