Read about they exclusion that celebrities often face in discussions about mental health, but also how they can help erase the stigma around those topics
Edited by Samantha Liu
As witnessed through today’s pop culture icons, more and more public figures are sharing their struggles with mental health. Until recently, conversations about anxiety, depression, and addiction have been hushed as victims were categorized as disturbed or hysterical. But thanks to the rise of large scale social media platforms, insights from popular celebrities are helping to normalize conversations about mental health to wide audiences. Today, one in five teenagers faces severe mental health disorders that impact the course of their daily lives. Common effects include lack of motivation in day-to-day activities, disrupted sleep schedule, drastic changes in appetite, and more. Health experts insist that normalizing the conversation about mental health helps lessen negative stigmas around common mental illnesses. Neglecting to address such matters only perpetuates negative stereotypes and prejudices against victims of mental illness; the importance of mental health awareness cannot be overstated. From Billie Eilish to Taylor Swift, celebrities have taken to doing just that by using their platforms to share their experiences with mental health and raise awareness. In an interview for mental health organization Seize the Awkward, Eilish stresses the importance of checking in with friends and family and providing comfort for those suffering with mental health issues. She encourages audiences struggling with mental illnesses to seek help, saying, “It doesn't make you weak to ask for a friend or to go to a therapist.” Despite her fame, Eilish’s choice to speak out reminds her fans that she is yet another teenager who faces mental health issues, including depression. Audiences struggling with similar issues can now identify with these public figures whom they admire. This kind of positive influence from their favorite celebrities encourages young people to speak out and seek proper treatment. While sharing stories about personal experiences can help break down a culture of shame and secrecy around mental illness, celebrities must be careful in their approach to addressing such serious topics to impressionable audiences. Likewise, young people must be cautious about which public figures to look up to. For instance, celebrities who share specifics such as past diet restrictions or bodily measurements in an effort to emphasize their previous unhealthy habits may inadvertently drive the eating disorders of audiences by creating a point of comparison. Instead, the most meaningful stories are ones that suggest healthful outlets and solutions that are supported by mental health professionals. Pop culture icons who use their platform to break the silence around mental health issues are a powerful force in uplifting for teens who otherwise may feel isolated. However, they must be articulate with their words and primarily focus on providing wisdom about how they fight against their struggles. Not only would these conversations help raise awareness, but also promote communities of uplift and support in a culture that represses them. Sources: https://www.livescience.com/8787-1-5-teens-mental-disorder.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XFd0RLKQWA https://seizetheawkward.org/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/celebrities-are-talking-more-about-their-own-mental-health-its-helping--even-if-its-complicated/2020/02/19/41379628-4dda-11ea-9b5c-eac5b16dafaa_story.html https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985
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