“If Britney Spears can make it through 2007, I can make it through today.”
This is just one example of the many gags we’ve all made at the expense of Spears ever since she had her very public breakdown in 2007.
You know, that time she shaved her head in front of the cameras, and attacked an SUV with that famous teal umbrella? Yeah, that breakdown.
While many believe that comedy is indeed tragedy plus time, there’s nothing funny about sitting back with a big bowl of popcorn while watching someone’s life unravel as we simultaneously point out the hilarity behind their mental health issues.
Especially when that person has been suffering in the public eye, and we’ve helped the world take advantage of their situation every step of the way.
We all know the story.
Britney had been struggling with an undiagnosed mental health condition brought on by extreme anxiety that she’d had ever since childhood – a condition that eventually led to her father being granted a court awarded conservatorship in 2008 – something he still has to this day, and could potentially have for the rest of Britney’s life.
What this meant, and continues to mean, is that Britney can’t make choices and decisions for herself – she lives a restricted life that is governed by the decisions of others.
Everything she has, everything she is, and everything she has the potential to be, rests in the hands of her father, and her lawyer.
It’s now more than ten years later, and Britney is still trapped by the stigma surrounding her breakdown.
And it’s our fault.
We haven’t applauded her for her continued success or resilience, or the fact that she’s a single mother – we’ve mocked her, we punished her for being human, we’ve chastised her for not being perfect, and we’ve made countless jokes at her expense.
Now, as one of the world’s biggest stars (who has also been the butt of thousands of jokes, memes, and tabloid headlines) comes out as bipolar, it’s our chance to make amends and stop the jabs and judgments so that we can start to break the stigma around mental health, not encourage it.
Mariah Carey made the announcement on the cover of People magazine, providing her supporters with a true emancipation of Mimi moment.
The famous singer admitted she was seeking treatment for bipolar II disorder, despite being diagnosed in 2001 after a mental and physical breakdown.
“I was so terrified of losing everything, I convinced myself the only way to deal with this was to not deal with this. Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me. It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn’t do that anymore.”
Mariah’s fans have applauded the singer for going public with the news.
Mariah Carey is the best, but if you weren't already inspired by a woman who named four consecutive albums Butterfly, Rainbow, Glitter and Charmbracelet, you're part of the problem.
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) April 11, 2018
I'm honestly choked up. When someone like Mariah Carey, an actual icon, is open about her diagnosis and treatment, it's massively important and potentially lifesaving. Thank you Mariah. ? https://t.co/hy2chkRS78
— The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) April 11, 2018
So proud and inspired by Mariah Carey telling the world about her bi-polar disorder. Her music has literally healed and helped people for 20+ years and her being candid about this will continue to do the same but hopefully free her the most. @MariahCarey we love you queen!
— ? (@The__Prototype) April 11, 2018
Throughout the article, Mariah makes a point of saying she hopes society will eventually get to a place where the stigma behind mental illness is lifted.
It’s so important that we listen to what she’s saying.
We need to examine the way we treat celebrities and public figures struggling with mental health issues.
Why? Well, besides Mariah’s music, we only know her best as a ‘train wreck’… a woman with ‘crazy diva demands’ and a penchant for displaying ‘odd and baffling behaviour’. And that’s not cool.
We’ve made light of her mental health for more than two decades – so now it’s time to take a second and consider that every time we make fun of celebrities and their crazy behaviour, we’re actually making fun of mental health.
There’s nothing lol-worthy about that.
Mariah has given us the is opportunity to reevaluate the way we discuss and view mental health in the media, and what we can do to turn our behaviour around.
She’s forced us to look at ourselves, and take the first steps in making it easier for individuals, just like her, to feel comfortable coming out, and living life as their true selves without the fear of mocking or judgement.
For support and guidance please contact the agencies below:
BeyondBlue – 1300 224 636
Headspace – 1800 650 890
LifeLine – 13 11 14