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Monday, August 19, 2013

Hollywood and Mental Illness


This summer has been rough, hasn't it? We lost lots of young talent and TV personalities lately. Amanda Bynes will hopefully be saved, but I'm not sure the media will be saved. Yep, I am one of the people who has to cover celebrities with drug addictions, mental illness and trips to rehab. So, I am guilty as charged. However, I do feel like we have a responsibility to some of these celeb having public breakdowns.

I got to a point midway through the Bynes saga where I just felt sorry for her. I didn't want to write about her latest cry for attention on Twitter. I didn't want to hear who she targeted for her latest "you're ugly" comment. I just wanted her to get help.


The problem is that it ain't easy.  Every comment I read on articles about the former Nickelodeon star insinuated that her parents were horrible for not helping their daughter. Hey guys, guess what? Their daughter is over 18 years old, she can do whatever she wants. It wasn't until she had an epic event like burning someone's driveway that the law could finally do something with her. She's on an involuntary psychiatric hold where she is reportedly being treated for schizophrenia. It's a lot less funny now, right?

In the last week, the entertainment community has lost a reality TV star with Gia Allemand and Rizzoli & Isles star Lee Thompson Young to suicide. Depression runs deep and for some, suicide seems to be the only answer. Sadly, Allemand and Young felt like they had no other place to turn. 


In this 24/7 news cycle that I actively participate in, I want Hollywood to step up and be more sensitive to those that are suffering. I hope we don't see another saga like Amanda Bynes or even Paris Jackson. I hope their story has a better ending like Britney Spears who has moved forward with her life under controlled circumstances. 

Let's try to understand a bit more about mental illness and depression. Perhaps one more life will be saved.

If you need help, reach out to someone: National Suicide Prevention Hotline


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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 20, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Depending on where other readers are there also may be locaql crisis intervention networks as well. I had to call one last year when my depression took over me and I am a better man for it. They helped me get the help that I needed so I would not cause harm to myself.

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    Replies
    1. Kristyn BurttAugust 20, 2013 at 10:11 AM

      Hi Chuck! I'm so glad you are here! :) I think you make a really good point. It might be a better option for people to seek out help on a local level because they might be able to help with an emergency intervention and then assist with continued care. I really hope Hollywood gets a grip on this though. It's been a sad summer and some really sloppy reporting.

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