Media personalities have become intentional in taking care of their mental health. Nokuthula Zwane speaks to psychologists and celebrities who have openly addressed their mental health journey.
The entertainment world may look appealing with all the glitz and glam, but some entertainers are expected to endure mentally taxing experiences, all in the name of being in the limelight.
There has been a notion that local celebrities sign up for criticism and mentally challenging experiences the minute they become famous. However, in recent months many of our favourite media personalities revealed that they are not coping.
In May, a week is dedicated to mental health awareness, while in October, the world commemorates mental health issues.
In the past few months, several personalities have succumbed to mental health-related issues, while others have found themselves having to reveal through social media that they are experiencing some form of mental illness.
The recent deaths of Gomora actor Siyabonga Zubane, musician Riky Rick, and actor Patrick Shai, who all took their lives in the past year, have many questioning the capacity of the entertainment industry to tackle mental health challenges. The likes of Simphiwe Dana, Phelo Bala and Mel Bala all took to social media to reveal that they suffer from mental health issues.
According to experts, mental health awareness refers to one's active and initial practice of observing and attending to one's state of mental processing. "It's inclusive of emotional and psychological processing, where the month should encourage acknowledgement of your mental health needs that lead to action (for healing)," said experts.
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