As investigation continues into the exact cause of the actor's death, many have spoken up about the need to recognize and appropriate address depression, which can manifest itself in several ways. Deaths like Williams' they say, are completely preventable with proper identification and treatment.
American actor Robin Williams, 63, was discovered dead Monday morning, the result of an apparent suicide.
Though the public knew the popular actor well, few knew the intimate details of his life, most principally his struggle with major depression, something some allege the Oscar-winner struggled with for a long time.
"He has been battling severe depression of late," his media representative Mara Buxbaum told CNN. "This is a tragic and sudden loss."
A statement from the Marin County, California, USA Sheriff's Office stated the death appeared to be a "suicide due to asphyxia."
As investigation continues into the exact cause of the actor's death, many have spoken up about the need to recognize and appropriate address depression, which can manifest itself in several ways. Deaths like Williams' they say, are completely preventable with proper identification and treatment. Williams struggled with alcoholism and drugs, and was admitted to rehab twice this summer.
Speaking on the tragic event, US President Obama stated: "Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien -- but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most -- from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets."