In the wake of her father's suicide in 2014 following years of depression, Zelda Williams has shared an intensely personal message about grief and sadness, and the need for hope.

The message, which she posted on Instagram, came a little over a year after the death of Robin Williams, and since that time, Zelda Williams has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, as well as remembering her father's legacy. Though she didn't mention him by name, Williams's message nevertheless was aimed at the grief and sadness she's felt since her father's passing, her struggle to cope with and accept her feelings, and her desire for those grappling with depression to seek help and hold out hope.

"Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy," Williams wrote. "I live my sadness every day, but I don't resent it anymore. Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake."

Williams admitted that learning and living this lesson hasn't been easy, but is worth the effort.

"[F]or those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be," she continued. "Because I promise you, there're enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there."

Read the entire heartfelt message below.

Moonrise on the lake ???? I spent this night shivering and laughing under a clear, cold sky full of stars with people I love just to witness something beautiful. We mooned the moon and laughed ourselves hoarse, and I'm so incredibly grateful for every silly second. I came to a realization this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it: Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness every day, but I don't resent it anymore. Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake. It's not easy. In fact, I'd say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is. And for those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be. Because I promise you, there're enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there.

A photo posted by Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) on


[via: Zelda Williams]

Photo credit: Getty Images