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.healthline.com/health-news/pete-davidson-checks-into-rehab-for-ptsd-other-mental-health-issues#What-are-the-treatments-for-mental-health

https://www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20230331344286/pete-davidson-opens-up-about-his-mental-health-journy-with-therapy/?viewas=amp

https://www.upworthy.com/amp/pete-davidson-nailed-why-you-can-be-mentally-ill-and-in-a-healthy-relationship-hw-2637232247

https://www.self.com/story/pete-davidson-bpd-diagnosis-relief

https://variety.com/2018/music/news/pete-davidson-begs-kanye-west-back-on-meds-saturday-night-live-snl-watch-1202971433/amp/

Britney Spears was the It Girl of the 90s, releasing dozens of top songs like Baby One More Time, Toxic, and Oops I Did It Again. Britney was America’s sweetheart, playing into expectations to be both innocent and sexy. She was constantly bombarded by media and everything she did was made so public, which is why her 2007 “meltdown” was such a shock to fans.

In February of 2007, following a divorce that led to temporary loss of custody over her two sons, Britney fled rehab and shaved her head completely bald. She had quite literally gone to the hairdresser, asked to be bald, and when the hairdresser tried to talk her out of it, Spears took the razor and did it herself. When asked why she did this to her hair, Spears responded that she was sick of people touching her hair (The Sun). Looking back, this is a clear red flag at Britney needed to regain control of her life after she felt taken advantage of by the media. Nobody seemed to care about her mental wellbeing, and had felt that her downfall was bound to happen at some point. Just days later, the “umbrella incident” occurred in which paparazzi surrounded her vehicle and Spears got out, umbrella in hand, smashing a photographer’s window. Many people look back on this incident and can clearly see that this was a cry for help, but at this time, Spears was labeled as crazy. She was used as a punchline incessantly in the media and mocked for her actions, as if they were funny.

About a year after this, Spears was placed into her conservatorship by her father over her mental health struggles and possible substance abuse. This conservatorship, lasting for over a decade, allowed for Spears’ family members, not her, to be in charge of all of her business and personal decisions. She did not have access to any of her finances for her to spend in the way she wished and decisions about her personal life, such as when she could get remarried or visit her sons, was controlled. Spears has described this conservatorship as abusive, and “she lived in terror and shame, unable to make decisions about her work or her own body” (New York Times). Her whole life and her freedom of speech was taken away from her and she was forced to put up a facade that she was just fine. Despite being a fully grown adult, Spears was forced to take medication she did not want to take and go on tour. She had wanted to get married and have another baby, but was forced to stay on her birth control and, again, all of her relationships were monitored. On top of this, Jamie Spears was being paid around $16,000 a month to be his daughter’s conservator, according to BBC.

In 2019/2020, when Jamie Spears could no longer be in charge of Britney Spears, Britney indicated that she no longer wanted to be under this legal control. This combined with off-putting videos on social media sparked a massive civic movement- #FreeBritney. Free Britney was a huge public outcry that brought to light the kind of treatment Spears was getting under her conservatorship for the first time. Many people, including myself, had no idea of these issues until this point in time. In February of 2021, New York Times released a documentary called “Framing Britney Spears”, outlining the kind of treatment Spears had been getting for years by the media, sparking even more interest in her conservatorship. People began protesting outside of courthouses and posting all sorts of media about #FreeBritney. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, and Cher all supported this movement, among many other notable people. Spears was finally able to go to court, pick her own counsel, and have her voice heard after pleading for years to end her conservatorship. She spoke out about the years of emotional abuse she faced and in November 2021, Britney was finally free.

Now, she has gotten married again like she wished, and she is attempting to charge her father with financial misconduct and conservator abuse. She is getting justice. Her case has brought so much attention to the treatment of women in the media, particularly those who went through public “downfalls”, such as Amanda Bynes, Lindsay Lohan, and Miley Cyrus. The public is much less quick to judge these women and reach out a sympathetic hand to them, offering help they need instead of labeling them as crazy. They are no longer being treated like punchlines to the public instead of real people in crisis. Britney herself is being given support by fans globally that she did not have before after being bullied in her own home. And most of all, people are begging society to let Spears live her life and express herself- free from mass media scrutiny- after being suppressed for so long.

Spears has also released a memoir in 2023 called The Woman In Me, which is monumental for speaking about women’s mental health. In her memoir, she details the mental health struggles that she has been facing for years, including her struggle with postpartum depression, her very public breakup with Justin Timberlake, and, of course, her conservatorship. Spears is able to regain her voice and control of her narrative and is able to speak on her life from her perspective. Her memoir is raw and real, she does not claim to be all better or somehow have all the answers, admitting to a need for continuous growth. But mostly, this memoir speaks to so many people. To other child stars, who faced the pressure of the world from a young age, to people struggling with mental health, who need to know that they are not alone, and to women, who are still so misunderstood. Through her book, Spears “”It underscores the urgent need for a cultural shift towards openness, understanding and empathy around women’s mental health” (Yahoo).

Women have historically been denied mental health help, instead labeled as crazy or overly emotional. Centuries ago, if a woman had a mental health disorder she would simply be diagnosed with hysteria or would be lobotomized. Women in crisis are often asked if it’s “their time of the month” instead of a legitimate understanding for their struggles. Men attempt to speak over women and do not allow them to share their own stories, something that is all too familiar to Britney Spears in a literal sense. Spears overcoming that on a grand scale while simultaneously speaking about her experiences that impact women specifically, such as her postpartum depression, miscarriage, and abortion, is so essential.

Through her life experiences, Britney has taken what she has learned women in her and has spread it to women everywhere. With these new conversations about mental health sparked by this #FreeBritney and her memoir, it is hopeful that one day all of our voices will be heard.

Paparazzo Auctioning Off Umbrella From Infamous Britney Spears Attack (vice.com)

Why Britney Spears Shaved Off Her Hair—Looking Back 15 Years Later (newsweek.com)

Britney Spears reveals devastating reason she shaved her head during 2007 public meltdown | The Sun

Britney Spears Timeline, From the Conservatorship to Her Memoir – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Britney Spears: Singer’s conservatorship case explained (bbc.com)

Britney Spears’ New Memoir Changes The Conversation On Mental Health (forbes.com)

Britney Spears’ memoir is a rallying cry for women’s mental health, says Canadian therapist (yahoo.com)

Britney Spears – Wikipedia

Mental health is something that used to be so stigmatized in society, but several celebrities have defied this stigma and spoken out about their struggles with mental health on a large stage. One of the most recent examples of this is Simone Biles at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

For those who are not familiar with the situation, on July 27, Day 4 of the Olympic games, Simone Biles had a shaky vault performance, which is uncharacteristic of the greatest gymnast of all time. She had apparently planned to do a 2.5 twist vault dismount, but only completed 1.5 with a shaky landing. After exiting with a team doctor, she returned with a wrapped right leg and it was announced that she was withdrawing from the competition due to a medical issue. It was later revealed that it was not injury-related, but a mental struggle- what gymnasts call the twisties. The twisties are essentially when gymnasts get lost in the air while performing and are not aware where they are in space. Space and air awareness are very important for gymnastics and many gymnasts like Biles have exceptional bodily awareness. To get the twisties can be dangerous because gymnasts will not know where or when to land and can land wrong, even on their head, which can cause injuries anywhere from a twisted ankle to paralysis.

Biles’ withdrawal was a huge shock to the nation that was excited to see her perform but resparked an important conversation about mental health. Biles is not the first athlete to speak out about mental health or even the first athlete to drop out of a competition due to it, but this event happened amidst the pandemic where mental health was already a global conversation. According to Time Magazine, “About 30% of people aged 18 to 25 years report having a diagnosis of a mental illness in the preceding year, which means this age group already represents a higher risk group.” These are the same ages as the Olympians and many young adults who consume the Olympic media. This number was heightened by Covid and the stress that came with online school, job layoffs, high market prices, and diminished social lives. Having someone so public facing such high expectations choose her mental health really emphasized these conversations, particularly among this age group where it is especially important.

The Tokyo Olympics in particular had a giant focus on mental health before Biles pulled out. Time Magazine introduces Jessica Bartley, a psychologist and the director of mental health services for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who attested that “her team received about 10 requests daily during the Games to support athletes’ mental health needs.” These athletes are under so much pressure to perform perfectly in order to represent their country well. They have worked tireless hours, but many of the struggles they face are hidden from the public in order to maintain this image of effortless talent. With Biles’ courageous decision, mental health became a “defining theme of the Games. And her courageous choice, amplified by the global spotlight of the Games, created a rare opportunity for moving the discussion from raising awareness to positive action” (Time). Not only did Biles change the game for other athletes in the Games to recognize that their struggles were valid, she validated the feelings of millions of people across the globe.

She was able to put her pride aside and do what was best for her health and safety, which is much easier said than done. She proved that her mental health was her top priority, even above a global competition that she worked tirelessly for. This was definitely not an easy decision for her, but it was the only decision. Her courage challenged the thoughts of even the average American. I mean if Simone Biles can put her mental health above the Olympic Games, why shouldn’t I be putting my mental health above one silly little assignment? If her mental health is that important to her, why shouldn’t my mental health be that important to me?

Biles added a whole new layer of depth to the games. She showed that these athletes are human. They feel this immense pressure to be the best but at the end of the day they are human like the rest of us, and are often times in their teens or early 20s. As someone on the older end of the spectrum and as one of the most well known names in the Games, Biles was a sort of role model to other athletes and her decision had a real weight in showing that mental health needs to be talked about in order for these struggles to be overcome.

Biles has been an advocate for therapy and mental health in the past, but this event was such a large decision that it brought more attention to it. Biles is also notably a survivor of the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal, which also illuminates how many athletes struggle from various types of mental illness.

Many athletes spoke out in support of Biles’ decision, which brought more media attention to it. Other big names who have advocated for their mental health in the past, including Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka, and Aly Raisman have attested to the struggles they have faced as professional athletes and the attention that must be dedicated to the mental health of athletes and individuals as a whole. President Joe Biden even applauded Simone Biles’ decision, showing the impact of her bravery on even the world’s biggest leaders.

Mental health and Simone Biles’ decision was important to the civic because of the effect it has and is continuing to have today, despite being 2.5 years ago. With her choice, “Simone Biles touched a nerve far beyond athletes, releasing a seemingly pent-up reservoir in the broader culture…Google searches related to mental health on the day Biles pulled out hit their highest peak in two months” (Time). She made the Olympics about so much more than just sports. She opened up a whole new world for athletes and viewers to weigh the importance of their health in their own lives, to seek the betterment of their mentality. This was not just a shocking, fleeting moment; it was a cultural reset that has left a lasting change.

We commend you, Simone Biles.

Sources:

The Tokyo Olympics Changed the Conversation About Mental Health | TIME

Simone Biles Mental Health Message is Game-Changing | Turnbridge

What Happened to Simone Biles? Why Did The Gymnast Pull Out of The Olympics? (newsweek.com)