Mar
2024
Civic Blog #3: Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson is a well known comedian. He’s had his fair share of SNL skits and surprising relationships, but his transparency with his mental health have been monumental. Davidson has been speaking out publicly for years about his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after his father was killed in 9/11.
Firstly, the conversational forum allows for Davidson’s message to be heard by a variety of audiences and helps them gain a new perspective. SNL has a large age range of viewers, and as a Gen Z, Davidson appeals a lot to Gen Z, who often struggle with mental health. As Davidson himself highlighted, 16 million people struggle with depression, and there is a cure unless one seeks help (Self). Since this is such a widespread public issue, it clearly exists in the civic and needs a public response. Davidson takes initiative and gives a voice to the millions of people like him who face mental hardships on a daily basis. On top of that, SNL is obviously a comedy show, where it seems uncommon for people to come on doing skits about serious topics like mental illness. However, Davidson using humor can allow for people to not be so uncomfortable listening to these topics, while also giving people who do struggle a chance to cope with laughter. Davidson is incredibly relatable, and even on SNL does an excellent job highlighting ways that people struggling can seek help, including in the workplace.
While the topic of mental health as a whole has become increasingly talked about in recent years, there are still many aspects that are stigmatized. For example, many people still look down upon rehab. Davidson, however, has been very open in his experiences with going to therapy and rehab when he is at a low point. He sets an example not only through his words, but through his actions. He does not just preach that therapy will fix everything and once you feel better you are better. Davidson humanizes mental illness in the sense that feeling better doesn’t mean you are better, and that some days will be better than others. He also opens up about some of the uglier sides of mental illness, including self harm. When many public figures speak out about mental illness, they hesitate to go too far into detail in fear of making people uncomfortable. Not Davidson, though. He shows the reality of what so many people go through while also giving advice as to what helps with stopping those destructive behaviors, coming from someone who knows what it is like to be in that mindset.
In terms of treatments, in addition to things like therapy and rehab, Davidson is an advocate for medication for those who need it. In one of my favorite monologues of his, Davidson calls out his girlfriend at the time’s ex, Kanye West, for his erratic behavior. West, as someone who struggles with mental disorders like Bipolar Disorder, shows some of the negative sides of mental illness because he refuses to seek help. In response, Davidson jokes, “Kanye, I know you’re like, ‘Yo, this is the real me, I’m off the meds’, “Take ‘em! There’s no shame in the medicine game! I’m on ‘em — take ‘em!” (Variety). This hilarious interaction is actually very humanizing as many other celebrities do not speak about things like the medications that they are on. Davidson calling West out is also interesting because of the idea that many people with mental illness will use their illness as an excuse for any negative behavior as a way to avoid accountability. This is very harmful and contributes to the stigma around mental illness, which Davidson acknowledges. In his words, “Being mentally ill is not an excuse to act like a jackass” (Variety). This statement is so positive because it adds a more complex level to advocacy than just seeking help; also accepting accountability. Something I have definitely learned is that mental illness may be an explanation for a behavior, but it is not an excuse. Everyone should be held to the same standard of accountability, and those who have a mental illness should strive for a certain level of personal growth.
For people who are still skeptical about their diagnosis, Davidson offers some much needed reassurance. A lot of times when people talk about mental health, there are many conversations about the more common illnesses like depression and anxiety. Yet, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding less common disorders like BPD or schizophrenia. Davidson has turned his diagnosis into a positive thing, attesting that getting a correct diagnosis can be so important in making sure that one is getting the help that they need. He details how he “…was always just so confused all the time, and just thought something was wrong, and didn’t know how to deal with it…then, when somebody finally tells you, the weight of the world feels lifted off your shoulders. You feel so much better” (Self). It is not looked down upon to go to the doctor when you feel under the weather physically, and Davidson emphasizes that mental health is no different. Seeking help when you feel that something is wrong is a very brave decision and the best thing you can do for yourself. It can actually lead to you getting help, and Davidson encourages taking that first step toward treatment.
Pete Davidson has even used his platform to disprove certain myths about people with mental disorders, such as that they cannot be in healthy relationships. Especially with an illness like Davidson’s, Borderline Personality Disorder, many are wary that these people are manipulative or unstable. Davidson challenges that narrative, saying that “Just because someone has a mental illness does not mean they can’t be happy and in a relationship…It also doesn’t mean that person makes the relationship toxic” (Upworthy). Having a mental illness does not inherently determine someone’s ability to be a good partner, and they, too, are deserving of a fulfilling relationship. Davidson works really hard to undo the stigma that people with a mental illness cannot do certain things. His success despite these deep rooted challenges is inspiring to people like him who may end up questioning their self worth due to outside noise.
Overall, Davidson has contributed so much to the conversation of mental health and has changed the game in the way he is vulnerable about his diagnosis, treatments, and accountability. As a young man, he is inspiring so many other young people, old people, men, and everyone else to follow his advice through the unique method of comedy. It is so easy to look at his work and take it at surface level, as a skit or news headline. But Pete Davidson really is an asset to the mental health conversation and I hope he continues to use his platform for good.
Sources:
https://www.self.com/story/pete-davidson-joked-about-his-mental-illness-on-snl
https://www.self.com/story/pete-davidson-bpd-diagnosis-relief