Making Mental Health Famous

Written by Alexis Lion.

A critical review titled “Mental Illness in the News and Information Media” was conducted in 2012 by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care in Australia to evaluate how the representation of mental health by the media has an impact on the perceived attitudes and behaviours of the community. There are countless common misconceptions associated with mental health, and these are negatively perpetuated by the media. It is not uncommon to read articles on mental health that are supplemented with images of loss and pain, painting a picture of tragedy and sadness.

Nevertheless, numerous singers, poets and artists have used their own depression stories and turned them into inspiration for their fans and the public. Many of the world’s most famous and creative people have had mental illnesses.

In his song “Going Through Changes” from the album Recovery (2010), the rapper Eminem shared about his bout of depression after the passing away of his best friend, Proof, and also the regrets he felt after his divorce with his first wife, Kim Scott.

Another singer, Kelly Clarkson, the winner of the first season of American Idol, also has a song “Dark Side” from her album Stronger (2011). The message of the song revolves around acceptance, with sub-themes of bullying, violence and drug addiction being mentioned. Part of the lyrics from the song goes, “Everybody’s got a dark side/ Do you love me? / Can you love mine?”

Sylvia Plath, a poet well-known for her raw, almost nihilistic poetry, went through sessions of electroshock therapy and made several suicide attempts to end her life. The psychological term ‘Sylvia Plath Effect’, that was named after her, is defined by the strong correlation between mental illnesses and poets (and all creative artists).

Dying
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well.
I do it so it feels like hell.
I do it so it feels real.
I guess you could say I’ve a call
- excerpt from Lady Lazarus (1966)

The renowned 20th Century American literary author, Ernest Hemingway, committed suicide after enduring a life of pain, depression and loneliness.

One of his famous quotes include, “The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.”

From the lives of these famous figures, we see a common trait that lies in their willing public exposure of their vulnerability towards mental health. They stand for mental health, without trivializing the issue. Persons with mental illnesses have their own hobbies, passion and life. Nevertheless, for the most part of society, we confine them into stereotypes even after they have recovered.

Let’s give them a chance today by making mental health famous!