Robin Williams and an important message

Of course as most people here probably know, Robin Williams passed away in what seems to be a suicide. May he rest in peace. Also, my message to anybody is the same anyone who's done something in remembrance of the man. If you're going through what may be depression or just going through bad time, talk to somebody. It's as simple as that, or so I thought.

Later in the evening, after hearing about his death. I was looking through the Steam store seeing what new releases had come out. I don't know if y chance or if it was meant to be,but I found a game titled "Depression Quest" on the new releases page. Having the tag as third-party lead to me clicking on it for a closer look. As it would turn out, it was a game that was free to download and play with no DLC or microtransactions. Looking at the screenshots It was clear that it was a text-based game with heavy emphasis on the choices the player makes. Usually I don't play games like these for fear of not enjoying the story or becoming bored, but this time I decided to give it a try. So I downloaded it and started to play. The only thing I can say about it is just... wow.

Of course, the game was about depression and the player is given the role as a young man with depression. The way it is written in a second-person point of view, allowing you to really get into the role as the main character. I played through it fully, which only took about an hour at the most and finished in what I would say in a relatively positive note. I say relatively, because the story has a sort of non-ending to it. I won't spoil it for you and I do actually encourage you to play it because I felt that the game itself is worth experiencing.

However, two thing really stuck out for me in the game. First is the option tree the game gives you as you're playing along. A game design choice they made, which I found to be really important is that sometimes options may be crossed out, not allowing you to use it. I assume that they may open up if you character is feeling better. But, what stuck out to me was the what the crossed off answers were. The first is that they would be the best option to choose in response to the situation you're in. And secondly it that some would be rather mundane or simple to do for someone like me, who isn't suffering from depression. It really opened my eyes on how hard it must be to not only live with depression, but to also get help.

The other thing that stuck with me was the writing. First I do want to say that it is extremely well-written and goes beyond most stories I've read. Next is how it explained the feeling that the character is feeling, especially when it involves trying to talk to another about his problems. The fears that rack his head about the embarrassment, trying to explain it, and worry that the person could even hate them for being "bad". It really shined a light on what someone who is battling depression must feel when they're around other.

The game leave a foreword stating that this is only their representation of depression and that they don't mean for this to be a the "best" view on it. Still though, they leave a link for those suffering from depression to a site that provide services for help. At the end they again say that it is a battle and to seek help.

I'm sorry for making this so long, that wasn't my intention. It just that as a teenager I know that this is a growing problem for those in my age group. Just five months ago a student from a middle school I live just a few minutes away committed suicide. It just not something I want to happen again. I understand that getting help isn't easy, I know that I'm pretty stubborn about that too. But I urge anyone, if you or someone you know is going through rough times, just talk to someone about it. They may be able to help, even if they aren't a doctor or therapist. People care, nobody wants to ever hear that a friend killed themselves and feel like they could have done something to try and prevent it. Hell, even I would try to help. Just pm me. I don't mind, if it meant that I was helping someone. I don't know how to finish this, I guess I'm not in the highest of spirits right now seeing as I typing this at midnight for me. Pretty much all I can say is talk to someone.