According to a report on NME.com, Katy Perry has incited a backlash from mental health advocates as well as from fans of pop star Britney Spears. In February of 2007, Spears famously shaved all her hair off after a stint in rehab. The act was part of a mental and emotional breakdown that left the singer floundering in her personal life and her career. Recently, a mental health joke by Katy Perry brought Spears’ head-shaving incident back to the forefront of public memory. Britney Spears responded briefly on Twitter.
Inflammatory Comments
During a recent conversation with Ryan Seacrest at the Grammy Awards, superstar singer Katy Perry talked briefly about taking time off for herself. “That’s called taking care of your mental health,” she said, but she didn’t stop there. She said that her time off was fantastic. “And I haven’t shaved my head yet, ” she quipped. In another interview, she referenced the well-known Britney incident again, saying, “I’ve done all of them [hair colours] and only thing left to do is shave my head, which I’m really saving for a public breakdown. I’m down for that. I’m almost moments away from that, obviously.”
Immediate Backlash
Whether they were malicious or an unfortunate mistake, the jokes did not seem funny to thousands of Britney Spears fans. Spears’ troubled past includes jail time and a period in a psychiatric ward before her rehabilitation and her journey back to health. Rather than rejecting her, however, Spears’ followers respect the famed singer for her openness about her struggles with addiction and mental illness. Fans began commenting on Twitter, fiercely defending Britney Spears and other sufferers of mental health issues. They demanded that Perry apologise for the comments about Britney Spears and about mental health in general.
Britney Spears’ Response
Britney Spears did not directly address Katy Perry’s comments, but she tweeted a verse from the Bible, in Luke 6:45, “Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart.” The quote seemed to be directed at Perry, especially after the outrage that Spears’ fans poured out on Twitter on her behalf. So far, Katy Perry has not issued any such apology.
Recognising the Power of Words
Anyone who has experienced panic attacks, anxiety, addiction, obsession, or depression knows that mental health is no joke. If you have struggled in these areas, you know that well-meaning friends or family members occasionally say hurtful things. The verbal jabs may be couched in good humour, but they still sting. You can gently remind your loved ones of the effect that their words can have on you and on others.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
If you find yourself fighting depression in Singapore, having difficulty coping with stress factors in your life, or going to dark places in your thoughts, seek help from the professionals at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic. We offer a variety of tried-and-true modern methods for treatment and therapy, including hypnosis, EMDR, cognitive behavioural therapy, and art therapy. Under the expert care of a psychiatrist in Singapore, you can recover your mental equilibrium and regain your happiness again.
News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic
Source: NME, 14 February, 2017
