Zak Williams, the eldest son of the late comedian Robin Williams recently appeared in Faces of Fortitude, a suicide awareness campaign started by photographer, Mariangela Abeo. Abeo created the campaign as a place "that provides a safe space for those touched by suicide." Zak opens up about his journey through the loss of his father.
Mariangela Abeo shared 3 separate black-and-white picture posts of Zak Williams on the Faces of Fortitude Instagram page. In the posts, Abeo quotes Zak from their photo session together as he speaks about losing his father. Zak admitted it was difficult to find a healing process. Talking to Abeo he said, "There’s no education in place to tell you how to deal with this. To balance how to grieve privately with your family and then also to have to grieve publicly."
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Abeo (pictured above) is a survivor of suicide and also a suicide loss survivor. Her brother took his own life 11 years ago which prompted Abeo to create Faces of Fortitude as a way to grieve him. The project helps to heal through captured portraits of those personally affected by attempted or carried out suicide. Abeo expresses on the Faces of Fortitude page how Zak William's journey can be very relatable for many suicide survivors and suicide loss survivors.
Zak shared a point in his journey that I felt like SO many of us can relate to. He spoke about how easy it was to find a balm for our pain and trauma. It’s so easy to numb the pain with external things. It’s a helpless feeling that is so far-reaching, it covers your life like a thick fog that feels like it will never clear. - Mariangela Abeo
Zak contended that once he took out all external elements of self medication it became very painful to heal. He attributed going out in public seeking validations as a fleeting form of healing for his father's death. Robin Williams was a beloved comedian and actor who starred in famous films such as Good Will Hunting (1997), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), and Aladdin (1992).
Zak said he eventually realized that he had to look inside himself to discover out he was not broken. He said, "I had to stop thinking big and expansive to heal everyone and look inward. I found a lot in there. I realized I wasn't broken. There was a lot of strength I didn't know was in there.”
Do you know somebody who could benefit from this campaign? Let them know about this article.
If you or anybody you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please call Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
