During times like the pandemic, isolation and fear can intensify depression and other types of mental illness. This is the driving force behind Zak Williams’ involvement with the mental health organization, Inseparable. The 37-year old son of the late comedian, Robin Williams, hopes to help ensure Americans have access to mental health care even as the virus rages on. (1)

Robin Williams Son Advocate For Mental Health

“The coronavirus pandemic has brought light to a parallel pandemic that’s happening,” says Zak. “We are experiencing from it as a direct result of the pandemic… a shared trauma that’s becoming quite acute as a result of everything that people have been through both in terms of the devastating economic effects, the isolation and a lot of circumstances from communities.” (1)

While Zak and his siblings Zelda, age 30, and Cody, age 28 are social distancing, they keep in contact. “Time flies,” says Zak. “I talked to my siblings to share stories and thoughts and photos that we like and appreciate.” (1)

Father’s Day Without Robin Williams

The three are facing another Father’s Day without their dad. “It will be nice to be able to speak with my brother and sister around remembering dad. It’s certainly an opportunity to be introspective as we’ll be together, apart,” says Zak. “The key thing for us during this upcoming Father’s Day is just to take some quiet time to reflect as a family around all the things that we’re grateful for around him and who he was.” (1)

Robin Williams Suffered From LBD

His father was suffering from Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a cruel type of progressive dementia. At the time of his death in 2014, his suicide was believed to be due to severe depression. However, this is just one of the many symptoms of LBD. “It was not depression that killed Robin,” his wife Susan explains. “Depression was one of let’s call it 50 symptoms and it was a small one.” (2)

Leading up to his death, his symptoms worsened. “They present themselves like a pinball machine,” says Susan. “You don’t know exactly what you’re looking at.” (2)

Robin Williams Inspires Son’s Advocacy

Becoming an advocate for mental health is part of Zak’s healing process. “Instead of becoming more isolated, finding resentment, getting angry about it, we need to actually find solutions and opportunities to band together to find the resources and apply them to actual meaningful change on a system’s level,” he says. “That’s what I think is so important at this time.” (1)

Robin Williams’ Son Prioritizes Self-care

Zak has also looked at his own mental health. He focuses on “prioritizing self-care before I can show up for others.” He has a 1-year-old son McLaurin Clement, with his fiancé Olivia June.

“I stay away from drugs and alcohol, I commit to support groups,” says Zak. “One thing I found very healing for me through my experience has been service and commitment to service work specifically around mental health and mental health support organizations. Eating well, committing to a healthy lifestyle. Things that I need in my weekly and daily regimen to better support my well-being.” (1)

Robin Williams’ Legacy

“[Becoming a dad] completely changes [you], but [gives you] perspective on what it takes to actually show up for another person,” says Zak. “To be a present and engaged parent requires focus and commitment to time and an effort that … it’s a lot. But the rewards are unlike anything I’ve experienced before.” (1)

This Father’s Day if you’re lucky enough to have a dad to celebrate, show you’re grateful — even if it has to be from a distance.