wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

While fans around the world mourn the tragic death of Robin Williams, Fox News has come out and called the comic genius a “coward” for his apparent suicide.

Robin Williams had spoken publicly about his long struggle with addiction and depression -- these issues or any number of other reasons could have led to Williams' death. We just don’t know.

Whatever Williams’ reasons are, it is inappropriate for Fox News’ staff to air their insensitive opinions. It is offensive to Williams' loved ones -- and the loved ones of the millions of others who've lost their lives to suicide. I know, because my own partner killed himself a year and a half ago -- and if someone had called him a coward for what he did, it would have cut me to the quick.

Even more importantly, Fox is perpetuating dangerous and completely wrongheaded views of mental illness. Depression is a disease, and belittling its millions of victims could even make them less likely to seek help.

Call on Fox News to fire presenter Shep Smith for his insensitive comments, and immediately educate staff about mental illness and suicide.

Robin Williams himself said that “suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems”, but it’s hard for those battling with mental illness to realize that fact on their own.

Fox News knows it is in the wrong after public outcry. The Rupert Murdoch-owned US news channel right wing channel forced its anchor to apologize, but it’s not enough.

But by labelling suicide as “cowardly” and essentially leaving its presenter off with a slap on the wrist, Fox News is intentionally perpetuating the attitude that mental illness is something to be ashamed of -- in spite of the fact that one in four of us will struggle with mental illness at some point in our lives.

And Fox is a repeat offender on the air -- forcing its own presenter to apologize is yet another case of the company covering its tracks when there is public outcry over an insensitive on-air comment. But apologies aren't enough this time.

Fox News: Immediately fire presenter Shep Smith and ensure the rest of your staff are adequately trained on how to speak about mental illness and suicide on air.

This one's personal for me. My partner Aaron killed himself exactly 20 months to the day before Williams did. Like Williams' family, I may never know exactly why. But I know this: He was no coward.

Thank you for all that you do,

Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, Founder of SumOfUs.org



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For more information:
Fox News’ Shep Smith: Robin Williams was “such a coward”, Salon, August 12, 2014

dljen Loc: Central PA

FOX "news" has way more problems than Shep Smith. He's not a bitter person. Rush is. I hate that bible thumpers are saying stuff about Robin Williams. Suicide is perfectly ok, I would have taken an overdose if I were him but I don't see anything wrong with it. You should be able to check out any way you want. I know I will on my timetable.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

And it is almost certain that some of the FOX hosts have family members suffering from the most common mental disease. Possible some took their owns lives too.

dljen Loc: Central PA

I think Shep Smith is their only gay anchor, at least that's what I understand. He's a very private person, one of their better anchors, I think he expressed himself poorly but all in all, he's one of their better ones.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

I agree that he's one of the better ones. Considering what were comparing him to though makes a huge difference.

Considering this level of insensitivity, what does that say about the rest if he's the best?

dljen Loc: Central PA

I know...

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

A feeble and job requirement to CYA. Why did he say it in the first place?

This is a laughable comment to make about someone right after you clearly and purposely disparaged him:

"I have no way of knowing the depths of Mr. Williams' suffering but I never meant to suggest that he acted in any such manner," Smith said in a statement. "He was a one-of-a-kind American treasure and I regret using any word during the hour-long special, reflecting on his extraordinary career, that would appear I disparaged him in any way."

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

Why did he say is in the first place? You may disagree but he was correct... it is a cowardly way out of your problems. Just like drinking to forget your problem or taking drugs to cope with life. Who hasn't been through some sort of depression. I have at one time thought of suicide as I had gone through a deep depression. Even as a teen I had thoughts of suicide. Putting a gun to my head would only cause bigger problems and heart aches. Not for me but for my family and friends. How can a person end his or her life and not think of the harm that they would be doing to others, especially the family that they would be leaving behind. Surely, he was not thinking of his family.

He had everything but everything was not good enough.

dljen Loc: Central PA

What you fail to get is that the man was sick. What is it with some conservatives and the way they talk about RW. I think Rush should be driven off the air but I've even heard the rumor that he wouldn't be accepted into "heaven." GDTH bible thumpers!

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

What does being a conservative or a "bible thumper", or Rush Limbaugh have to do with what I said. I am not the one trying to bring Politics and religion into this. As always, you are. And what I said was not derogatory in the least. Of course depression is a sickness for some. I have a friend who is seasonal depressive. Depression can also be brought on by outside circumstances when a person can not cope with the lost of a love one or someone going through a divorce. Suicide is not the answer. I have know friends that I have grow up with who have committed suicide for reasons their families did not understand or never seen it coming.

I had once been so over come with so much self pity that I wanted to take the cowards way out instead of putting my family first, I could only think of myself. At last, I realized what a fool I had been by putting my self interest before what really should matter in life, my lovely daughters. How would they ever understand why I would left them.

Yes, depression is a sickness and suicide is the cowards way out. You don't solve a problem with a gun to the head, you only compound the problem for others.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Apology accepted...but ask this president, Eric Holder, Pelosi, or Reid when the word "apology" passes their lips? Ain't happening...ever.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Cowardice or bravery?:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/cowardice.html

dljen Loc: Central PA

Instead of feeling bad and recognizing depression as a disease, the conservative blowhard said this:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/12/rush-limbaugh-robin-williams-killed-himself-due-le/

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

Rush Limbaugh does not speaks for me. I speak for myself. Rush was not around when I was going through my depression and I would not have taken his advice anyway. The point I was making is to not give up. If I may take a verse from the bible, I always remind myself when I am down, "This too shall pass." As I look back over my life at the hardships I have gone through, I realize that I have not gone through anything that is not common to man. Others have been there before me.