Zelda Williams Shares a Heartfelt Tribute and Message of Hope

A little more than a year after her father’s death, Zelda Williams posted a moving message and picture to Instagram about living with depression.

“I came to a realization this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it: Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness every day, but I don’t resent it anymore,” she wrote in her post. “Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake.”

“It’s not easy,” she continued. “In fact, I’d say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is.”

“And for those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be,” she said. “Because I promise you, there’re enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there.”

Robin Williams died Aug. 11, 2014, after living with depression for years. “His passing reminds us how isolating mental illness can be, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Mary Giliberti, executive director of NAMI, in a statement released after the news of his death. “Although there is still much to learn from research about mental illness and suicide, we know that education, support and intervention can save lives.”

More than 34,000 people lose their lives to suicide each year. Know the warning signs of suicide and how to help a friend or family member in need. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we can work together to bring awareness to the issue.