Andrew Koenig's Long, Losing Battle With Depression

Feb. 26, 2010— -- Andrew Koenig may be best remembered for his role as "Boner" on the 1980s sitcom "Growing Pains," but his more lasting contribution may be helping to lift the lid off depression.

Family and friends found the body of the missing actor in a Vancouver, British Columbia, park Thursday afternoon. At a press conference afterward, his father, Walter Koenig, said: "My son took his own life."

Walter Koenig, who played Chekov on "Star Trek," later wrote on his Web site that his son "passed away ? after a long battle with depression."

Koenig's parents have been vocal about their son's struggle with depression, and they continued to speak out after his body was found.

"The only thing I want to say is if you're one of those people who feel that you can't handle it anymore, if you can learn anything from this it's that there are people out there who really care," Walter Koenig said. "You may not think so, and ultimately it may not be enough, but there are people that really, really care.

"Before you make that final decision, check it out again; talk to somebody," Koenig said

Celebrities who knew and worked with Koenig are also mourning his death.

Kirk Cameron, who played alongside him on "Growing Pains," told US Weekly: "It is with great sorrow to hear about the final outcome of the search for my old friend Andrew. I hope everyone will be sensitive to the Koenigs and give the family some private time to reflect and to grieve the loss of their beloved son. At a time like this, we are all reminded of the briefness of life and the importance of being ready for our eternal destination. My prayers will continue to be with Andrew's family."

Their co-star Tracey Gold expressed her condolences."Today is a sad day," she said. "My heart is broken for Andrew's family. I have such great memories of Andrew and our time together on Growing Pains."

Other celebrities remembered Koenig, via Twitter:

Sarah Silverman: "My heart is heavy for the Koenig family."

Alyssa Milano: "RIP"

"Star Trek" costar William Shatner: "My deepest sympathies to Andrew Koenig's family. I will grieve with them."

Today, many are applauding the family's decision to speak out about Koenig's depression.

"Part of what's so impressive is that they are talking publicly rather than feeling stigmatized," Nadine Kaslow, chief psychologist and vice chair at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, told ABCNews.com. "They are working to reduce the stigma we have about depression and suicide."

Depression is one of the biggest risk factors for suicide, Kaslow said. Usually caused by biological factors, it can be exacerbated by stress. The earlier the onset of depression, and the more it reoccurs, the more difficult course it takes.

For most people suffering from depression, psychotherapy or medication or a combination of both can be used to treat it.

Walter Koenig said his son stopped taking his medication about a year ago. Kaslow said some people can go off their medication, whereas some people will need it for the rest of their lives.

Koenig's friends said he was up front about his battle with depression.

"He faced it, didn't shirk it," Lance Miccio, who worked with him on several film projects, told ABCNews.com. "He received treatment for it. It was a day-to-day thing that was woven into his fabric. It never affected his work. Maybe he was a little more grouchy than usual. But he was able to deal with it."

It's also possible he got tired of dealing with it.

"The longer people are battling it, the more helpless and hopeless they feel," said Kaslow, adding that when it gets to feel too overwhelming people need to reach out for help.

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"It's so damn hard for the victim to be convinced they are ever going to feel better," legendary talk show host Dick Cavett told ABCNews.com.

Cavett, who publicly struggled with depression for many years before getting it under control with a "modest amount of a couple of meds," said it's especially tough for people in the show business' spotlight.

"It's full of anguishing aspects if the mental landscape is not terribly healthy to begin with," he said.

Koenig apparently was fed up with being viewed as "Boner" or Chekov's son, Miccio said.

"The labels get painful," Cavett said. "The part that once thrilled us becomes a burden after years."

Unbeknown to his family and friends, Koenig sold or gave away all of his possessions and terminated his 14-year lease on his apartment before leaving for Vancouver -- a sign Kaslow said that he may have been planning to take his own life.

It appears his parents were not aware of ust how despondent he was until they received a letter from him Feb. 16. It worried them enough to contact Vancouver police.

"The parents did exactly what they were supposed to do. They took it seriously," Kaslow said. "They shouldn't feel guilty. It sounds like they did everything they could."

The Koenigs had a message for families too.

"For those families who have members who they fear are susceptible to this kind of behavior, don't ignore it, don't rationalize it, extend a hand," Walter Koenig said.

"Don't rationalize away anything," said Andrew Koenig's mother, Judy Koenig. "Connect with each other if there is something that is bothering you, because there is love out there."

"He was much loved," she said of her son. "He had much to contribute in this world, and we want to leave you with that message."