Robin Williams' devastating and unexpected suicide has prompted many to focus attention on the crippling effects of depression. The celebrated funnyman succumbed to his affliction on Monday, Aug. 11. Cause of death was asphyxia; Williams hung himself with a belt.

Years of secretly dealing with melancholy, emotional distress, suicidal tendencies and substance abuse ultimately led to his demise but failed to overshadow his vibrant life on stage, in television and in film, evident by the legacy left from acclaimed performances in "Aladdin," "Hook," "Jack," "Dead Poets Society," "The Birdcage," "Good Will Hunting," "Jumanji," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and so many other classics.

For Latinos, the subject of depression resonates. The Latino community, the largest minority group in America, faces high rates of depression and large disparities when it comes to health literacy, treatment and access. Suicide is the 13th leading cause of death for Latinos of all ages, but it is the third leading cause of death for Hispanic Americans aged 15-34.

Depression is a biological illness produced through chemical imbalance. It can be hereditary or triggered by environmental factors like lifestyle, dietary choices, medical conditions, financial struggles, undocumented status and other external struggles.

Among most Latinos, there's a relationships between the risk of depression and nativity. Mexican-Americans are at higher risk of major depression than Mexican-born immigrants. And the same is true of Cubans, Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics.

U.S.-born Hispanics, particularly Latino youth, have a significantly higher risk of depression and psychiatric disorders than foreign-born Latinos, and various sources have confirmed a correlation between acculturation and depression among Latinos, especially Latinas.

Latin Post previously spoke with the University of South Carolina's Dr. Elma I. Lorenzo-Blanco on the subject of Latino depression and smoking. The researcher, who focuses on Latino mental health, substance use, culture, gender and health disparities, published a study entitled, "Towards an Integrated Understanding of Latino/a Acculturation, Depression, and Smoking: A Gendered Analysis," which revealed that Latinas who assimilate are at lower risk of depression and smoking, but those who seek multiculturalism tend to suffer.

Lorenzo-Blanco shared that biculturalism and acculturation are said to be the preferred way to integrate, as both strive to remain true to two cultures: inherent and absorbed. Yet, those who embrace biculturalism and acculturation as a merging strategy are far more at risk of developing depressive behaviors and are likelier to attempt suicide, which is at an all-time high for Latinas.

In 2006, Robin Williams sought assistance for his depression but wasn't diagnosed with clinical depression. Likewise, many in the Latino community who show signs of severe depression go undiagnosed and untreated, leaving them susceptible to effects of the serious disorder.

The Patient Health Questionnaire from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders lists eight criteria used to diagnose major depression:

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2. Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
3. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or sleeping too much
4. Feeling tired or having little energy
5. Poor appetite or overeating
6. Feeling bad about yourself or that you were a failure or let yourself or your family down
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading a the newspaper or watching television
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite: being so fidgety or restless that you are moving around a lot more than usual.

Primary care physicians should work to develop trusting relationships with patients so that patients feel that they can be open and honest about depression symptoms and concerns, relieving patients of the shame and stigma associated with depression. Patients also need to be more proactive about being evaluated.

Additionally, Latinos must actively engage others in their community and encourage them to seek help when they appear to be struggling, potentially saving someone's life. What could appear to be a persistent bad mood in a neighbor could actually be something far more insidious. There are online and community resources available to share with others and guidance and counseling offered in many communities. Primary care physicians are normally equipped with information to assist patients with such needs, and most insurance plans allow for mental health assistance.

National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 8-14, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention urges the public to turn their attention toward the troubling reality of suicide in America. Also, they want to shine a light on the dangers of suicide contagion and the glamorization of early death, particularly after the high-profile death of Oscar-winning comedian Williams.

"Suicide should never be presented as an option. That's a formula for potential contagion," Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at AFSP, said. Instead, conversations about suicide awareness should honor public health standards, and seek underlying issues and influences.

Every 13 minutes someone dies from suicide, and it is among the top ten causes of death in the U.S. If you feel that you are depressed, or you might need resources to share with a friend, family member or even a stranger, check out some of these resources:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Spanish-language hotline: 1-888-628-9454

PBS: Depression Out of the Shadows

Here to Help: Mental Health and Substance Use Info (in multiple languages)

All About Depression: Causes and Workshops

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Multicultural Mental Heal Facts

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Daily Strength Depression Support Group

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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