Category : Blogs

Sub Category : Miscellaneous

I do not follow Twitter fights or celebrity dramas. However, a recent one that came to my attention involved Ariana Grande, Kanye West and Pete Davidson; the latter two suffer from Bi-Polar and Borderline Personaity Disorder, and the spat culminated in fears for Pete's safety with many worrying he was feeling suicidal following a tweet he made.
It started with Ariana making a 'joke', Kanye called her out for using his issues to her advantage and Pete tweeted in solidarity with Kanye.
However, it wasn't her initial tweet that caused the most problems for me.
It was her weak apology that irked me, 

"man i’m so sorry i told a dumb joke. i really didn’t mean any harm. all i want everyone to be healthy and happy. so desperately. please. my god." 

It sounded dismissive and insincere. I don't know about you but I could almost taste the hidden accusation... 
"It was only a DUMB joke"... So there's no need for that reaction.
"It was only a DUMB joke"... So #SorryNotSorry 
She goes on to say she recognises it was "probably" insensitive...
Here again we see that insincerity poking through, this time whispering "YOU'RE too sensitive".

She finishes by declaring one "last thing" ... "Stop weaponizing mental health. Everyone"

This attitude permeates the daily interactions of those brave enough to speak about their mental health problems and effectively silences the rest!
If we don't do the chores or don't go to work we're lazy... If we admit it's because we're struggling, then we're "using" our mental illness to get out of it or to get out of being "told off".
If we cry easily when someone confronts us, we're accused of emotional manipulation.
If we split and snap at someone, we must not explain that it's because our Mental Illness is flaring or because we're fatigued, lest we get accused of trying to make excuses for our behaviour! 
If we reveal we feel suicidal in the wake of hurt that we experience, then we're "threatening suicide"
When we're actually just seeking some help, understanding, patience and where possible, forgiveness.

So Ariana, Mental Illness can certainly destroy like a weapon, but it is rarely wielded by the sufferer!

EVERYONE. would do well to remember that!