For the millions of Americans who sufferer with depression and for those who care about them, the Aug. 11 death of comedian and actor Robin Williams was a reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of this disease. “More than 40,000 people committed suicide in America in 2011 alone,” said Dr. Robert Hirschfeld, chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UTMB. The highest rate of suicide occurs in older white men, who often experience isolation, anxiety and physical disability, but suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in young men between 19 and 45. Suicide is usually associated with clinical depression, Hirschfeld said, though not everyone afflicted with depression commits suicide. “We know quite a bit about depression now, and there are a variety of treatment options that are very effective,” Hirschfeld said. UTMB maintains a staff of psychiatrists at the Primary Care Pavilion in Galveston, who can diagnose the disorder and initiate treatment. The medical branch has had no facilities for inpatient treatment since Hurricane Ike, but they will be reinstated on completion of the current building program. [Note: Paid subscription required. Contact Media Relations for details.]