CREATIVE WRITING - FINAL PIECE
STOP ROMANTICISING MENTAL HEALTH
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BY JODI YIP MEI KEI
31ST JAN 2021
Stop.
Stop romanticising, glamorising, idolising mental issues.
Mental issues are not phases in a person’s life nor are they poetic, heartfelt romances. They are not aesthetic Tumblr posts nor are they how TV shows portray them to be. They are most certainly NOT something to be filmed and posted for clout, whether it is your friend or a random stranger you see in public.
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Mental health issues are serious various health conditions that can increasingly affect just about anyone’s emotions, thinking or behaviours. Starting as young as birth or as old as 90-years-old.
This has become a prevalent topic in Malaysia widespread amongst various media platforms, highlighting the importance of one’s mental health. Yet, most are still unaware of the gravity of the situation in youths. This can range from emotional disorders to risk taking behaviours, and affects oneself differently compared to others. Some, to the point of attempted suicide, anxiety, and severe depression which are getting increasingly common within Malaysian youths.
You might be wondering what is the romanticism of mental disorders? How can mental health be “romantic”?
It is the concept where one creates a false image by attaching an unrealistic impression to a certain mental illness. This undermines the realities of actual mental disorders causing victims not to be able to get the proper help they need as parts of society sees their condition as a trend and a form of aestheticism.
We see this happening in movies, books, and even social media, but are we aware of it? The media, as wonderfully entertaining and educational it is, can unconsciously influence our feelings and thoughts at times.
“So you’re watching a football match. Suddenly, the camera would zoom out and shows an ad for Gatorade throughout the 90 minutes of the match. The next time you watch or play football, you feel the need to get a Gatorade! Why? Because the ad has imbued itself at the back of our mind thinking this is something we need. These are subliminal messages where the media unconsciously influence our choices”, shared Derrick Teoh, Youth Pastor of Calvary Church in Johor Bahru and a Psychology graduate.
These subliminal messages in the media usually portray mental illnesses in a glamorised manner whereby the character often seems attractive or even quirky, which dilutes the reality of mental illnesses as a whole. Oftentimes, expectations in media do not satisfy the reality of the outcome which may lead to victims and their peers not knowing what to do, or even the wrong perception of mental illnesses. They may think mental illnesses are “cool” characteristics to adopt as their own due to a movie character being praised or in a cliché plot, gets the girl or the guy to fall for them.
Ms. Sam Jeng Mun, a Senior Psychology Lecturer at Taylor’s University, shared that certain influencers on social media tend to use mental illnesses as a source of fame which in-turns send misinformation and misconception of mental disorders. Social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube give full control to the user for content production unlike Netflix, a professional content platform of various entertainment.
Although, Netflix still have their moments. An infamous example of such would be 13 Reasons Why where a girl leaves behind a tape for a boy listing down all the reasons why she killed herself. The mere idea of leaving a tape behind for a boy or the mystery of finding the truth of her tragic suicide, or even watching how these bullies suffered in the aftermath as a form of revenge can leave a wrong impression on the audience. Especially the younger audience.
“You might be able to recall a character in a TV show that has OCD, but it's portrayed as adorable instead of the actual burden of having OCD. How the media portrays people with mental illness is disheartening. But movies and TV shows have to dramatised themselves to keep the audience interested, so with that, showing the actual burden of a mental illness would be deemed unnecessary and maybe boring”, expressed Aric Chai, 23-year old university student, from an Instagram survey.
But why romanticise mental illnesses?
Is it human nature to want to make ourselves feel better over something inevitable? Or is it the fact that we choose not to accept the truth and realities because society deems not to?
It is both.
When we are exposed to unknown aspects of life that we simply cannot control, it is natural to be afraid. Isolated, even. Simply because we do not know what or how to approach it. As humans, we want to feel loved. We want to connect and build relationships with one another. So, we tend to beautify what we think is considered shameful for the sake of disguising ourselves and others around us of the truth.
“I find it hard every day not to allow myself to romanticise my anxiety but people who heal tend to want a bit more love and attention because it distracts that from the actual pain”, shared Stephanie Liew, a 20-year old university student, from an Instagram survey.
This can bring about the supposedly “self-claimed” mental health issues. In other words, feigning mental illness for attention. Yes, there are such people. Some may not even realise that they are doing it, which is extremely alarming! Not only does that contribute to the already lack of seriousness in this area but also leaves negative consequences suffered by the people around the “victim” - emotional guilt, betrayal, helplessness, and stress which in-turn can develop to actual depression and anxiety.
“The signs and symptoms they mentioned do not point towards the said disorder”, highlighted Ms. Sam. Ms. Sam and Derrick both mentioned several symptoms we can take note of when faced with a potentially depressed patient: Rapid behavioural change, the sudden delegation of work towards friends and family without reasoning, illogical thinking and responses, and withdrawal. If the patient were to show suicidal tendencies, they must seek professional help immediately.
As a society, we must collectively be aware of the media we consume and be mindful of the terms we use. There have been many encounters where mental disorders are carelessly used as adjectives or even to categorise one’s feelings that may not be necessarily true. What we can do for the people around us to be knowledgeable and attentive. Be there for our friends, it does not cost anything to send a text, or listen and always be truthful when need be. However, we must remember that we are not responsible for the lives around us as we too have our own lives to look after.
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