celebrities on MH

[KrazyKatlady]

A lot of celebrities have spoken about, and been open about MH issues which in the main I think is a good thing.
But having watched yesterdays episode of This Morning, where 2 people in the public eye spoke about MH issues I felt like they really simplified the help that is available or, maybe, did not understand the process that Joe bloggs on an average salary, dependent on the NHS has to go through to get that support.
So Katie Price said she thought "everyone should go to the priory" like most people (watching daytime tv) would just be able to call up the priory and access therapy!
Then Victoria Pendleton said she spoke to someone about her suicidal thoughts. She called the Psychiatrist from British Cycling.
Then she went surfing in costa rica which proved really helpful to her mental well being. I am not denying this was a good message to seek help and try new stuff but there was no recognition that the average person wouldn't have immediate access to a psychiatrist, or the funds/availability to go on a holiday to get away from it all.
I have had a few issues with MH and so has family members and we have been on waiting lists/ on the verge of being sectioned before accessing suitable help.
They made it sound as if you just rocked up to the gP and immediately got seen by a counsellor or psychatrist, or offered a place in rehab.

I think any awareness and normalising of MH issues is a very good thing, and I'd feel uncomfortable judging anyone else's journey, celebrity or not. We can't know what they've really been through to get the help they personally needed.

If the majority of people knew the reality that they may need to wait months/years for an NHS assessment/further help, they may be put off seeking help in the first place, too.

But I do see your point; let's all go to Costa Rica for some good surf shall we :)

I can see your point but at the same time I think it's great that they're promoting the importance and seeking help and self-care alongside professional support even if most people's self-care budget doesn't stretch to windsurfing in Costa Rica.

I did think that about Victoria too actually. She went away for a month and used the physical exercise 'to get outside of her head' and whilst that's certainly good advice and Joe ordinary could translate that to going for a run, most people are too bogged down in the 9-5/kids/family to do that.

I didn't see it, but I think it would be more helpful to have average people talking about how they have managed their MH problems. If you are stuck on an endless NHS waiting list, hearing a celeb talking about having instant access to 5 star support is just going to make you feel resentful.

I agree as it implies help is easy to access and that treatment is successful relatively quickly which may not be the case. I struggled to get seen, then I tried various medications until one worked for me. It can be a long road and I think rather than put people off accessing help the message should be keep going and be assertive about asking for help.

I agree. A lot of people build up to “asking for help” only to find that help in virtually no existent. No access to psychiatrist unless the problem is very very serious, most likely 6 weeks CBT which is next to useless for deep rooted MH problems.

It's probably a good idea but I'm not suddenly going to feel better about myself just because a sleb has also had MN problems.

I didn't see it but do agree.

Raising awareness is good, but as well as misleading on treatment it gives an unrealistic view of outcomes. It's great to know that some people get better and return to their careers, but they very very rarely highlight the number of people long term debilitated by mental health conditions, that never return to their careers or spend the rest of their working lives underemployed because they can't cope in their old jobs.

I think rather than put people off accessing help the message should be keep going and be assertive about asking for help.

"Keep going and be assertive" are completely at odds with serious mental health illness.

Which supports the OP's point, the media overly trivialises complex mental health conditions. Which leads to normal people doing the same.

One of the key things is feeling reluctant or unable to talk to someone or ask for help. Having a familiar, known, trusted person that she could call is a lot different to asking for, and being referred for help. And in my own experience before getting effective treatment I must have seen 3 or 4 separate people who saw me once, asked the same (basic background) questions and never gained a trust, rapport or even just have time to get to the root of the issues.