Opinion: CAPER Director Carl Lejuez on Depression, Addiction and Robin Williams

Dr. Carl Lejuez, director of UMD's Center for Addictions, Personality and Emotion Research (CAPER) and BSOS Associate Dean for Research, responds to the tragic death of actor, comedian and humanitarian Robin Williams with insight into depression, substance abuse and suicidal tendencies.

The views expressed in this piece are the opinions of the faculty member are not intended to represent the views or opinions of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences or the University of Maryland.

In the past months, several high profile deaths that were potentially drug-related have placed a spotlight on the burden that drug addiction can create. Sometimes, the tragedy is the direct result of drugs, such as the heroin overdose of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. At other times, substances seemingly promise immediate relief from emotional difficulties such as depression, but then make the pain worse in the long term to the point where suicide might seem like the only answer. While the details of the events and causes are still unfolding, the recent suicide of Robin Williams appears to fit this mold.

It is important to honor the struggle with drugs of those in the public eye when these sorts of tragedies strike. But at the same time, it's equally important to remember that everyday people from all walks of society—from the poor and disenfranchised to those who have had all the support and resources one could ask for in life—fight the same battles, but they often do so in the dark and without anyone except those loved ones most affected even noticing.

In the Affordable Care Act, President Obama has taken the important step of legitimizing the experience and needs of those with drug addiction by requiring the same medical attention and resources as one would receive with equally life threatening physical illnesses. I believe it's our role as a society to move beyond responding only to high profile tragedies and make the human aspect of drug addiction a story worth discussing every day. Moreover, it's this sort of shift of focus that can fuel a new kind of war on drugs where the battle is fought with more funding for crucial neuroscience and behavioral research and the development of better treatment options. 

Health and Wellness Resources:

University Health Center: www.health.umd.edu

UMD Mental Health Services: www.health.umd.edu/mentalhealth

UMD Help Center: www.umdhelpcenter.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Published on Wed, Aug 13, 2014 - 1:49PM