Celebrity mental health stories are everywhere in our world of social media and stardom. It’s hard to go anywhere without hearing about a famous person’s breakup, a stay in rehab, or even a heartbreaking loss. Did you know that reading these headlines could be affecting your own mental health?
Don’t get me wrong, I love, love that we’re talking more openly about mental health, chipping away at the stigma, and encouraging people to get help. Still, some posts and stories out there can be damaging or triggering, especially for someone who is already struggling.
At Davis-Smith Mental Health in New Lenox, IL, teens and young adults are the heart of our work, and what they see online can weigh on them. Here are five reasons to be careful with celebrity headlines, plus what to do if someone you know is struggling.
Why Celebrity Mental Health Stories Hit So Hard
When you follow someone for years, watching their videos, listening to their music, and seeing their posts every day, it can start to feel like you actually know them. So when something painful happens in their life, it can land almost like it’s happening to a friend.
That reaction is normal, and it says something good about you, since it means you care. It also means celebrity news can stir up your own feelings, especially if you’re already dealing with stress, anxiety, or sadness.
There’s a real upside, too. When a well-known person opens up about anxiety, depression, or getting help, it can make a teen feel less alone and more willing to reach out.
5 Reasons to Be Careful With Celebrity Mental Health Headlines
Here are the top five reasons to slow down and think when you come across these stories.
1. Stories That Focus on a Death Instead of a Life
When a well-known person dies by suicide, some posts and shows focus on how they died instead of the life they lived. That kind of coverage can be painful and triggering, especially for anyone who is already hurting.
Some shows and movies also leave out resources and coping skills entirely, which can send the message that when life gets hard, there’s no other way through.
That message is wrong. However heavy things feel, there are other ways through the pain, and there are people who want to help you find them.
Before sharing a post about a celebrity death, ask yourself whether it honors the person’s life and includes ways to get help. If a story stirs up heavy feelings, it’s okay to stop reading and talk to someone you trust.
If you are having thoughts of suicide yourself, please reach out now. You can call or text 988 any time, day or night, and if you are in immediate danger, go to the nearest emergency room.
2. Coverage That Makes Drug Use Look Normal
Drugs are not a way out. Still, when headlines cover celebrity drug use over and over, it can start to seem normal, as if using substances is the go-to answer when you’re in pain.
A teen might even think, “If celebrities can use them, I can too.” Nope. The news tends to show the glamour and attention, like treatment at private resorts, and skips the hard parts.
It rarely shows the withdrawal, the damaged relationships, or the daily mental work of recovery. Getting better is a long, not-so-glamorous process that takes time, commitment, strength, and dedication.
If you or a friend are using alcohol or drugs to cope, please talk to a parent, school counselor, doctor, or another trusted adult. You can also call or text 988 any time, and if someone is in danger after using, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Asking for help is brave.
3. The Comment Section Can Do Real Damage
It can be really helpful to see a celebrity genuinely share their mental health story. The comments are a different matter.
There are still people who don’t understand or support mental health struggles. Reading their replies can leave you feeling judged, put down, discouraged, and unsupported.
If you choose to read and support mental health conversations online, limit how many negative comments you take in. A few ways to do that:
- Read the post, then skip the comments entirely.
- Use your app’s settings to filter or hide comments with certain words.
- Notice how you feel after scrolling. If you feel worse, that’s your cue to close the app.
4. Not Everything Needs to Be Shared Online
I believe every post, comment, or conversation about mental health or needing help should be taken seriously. I also don’t think every detail of how you’re feeling or what you’re going through belongs on social media.
Before posting, think about who your audience really is. Some people can and will take someone else’s story and use it to bully, gossip, spread stigma, or make it about themselves.
It’s okay to post and let others support you through a hard time. Just be mindful of who is reading, and ask yourself a couple of questions first:
- Would I be okay with my teachers, coaches, or a future employer seeing this?
- Do I need real help right now? If so, tell someone I trust directly instead of posting.
5. Most People Don’t Know What to Do When Someone Is Struggling
More education is needed about what to do when you see someone post that they’re struggling. Many people scroll past because they don’t know what to say, or they assume someone else will step in.
It helps to know some of the warning signs that a post may be a serious cry for help, such as:
- Talking about wanting to die or not wanting to be here anymore
- Saying they feel hopeless, trapped, or like a burden to others
- Posts that sound like a goodbye
- A sudden change in what they share, like going from upbeat to very dark
Many social media apps have a way to report posts like these so the platform can connect the person with help. Reporting is a good step, but it should never be the only one.
How to Respond to Someone Who Is Struggling
If anyone you know is struggling with their mental health or hints that they might be thinking about suicide, take every post and every comment seriously. You don’t need perfect words. What matters most is that you reach out and help them get connected to support.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. When it is not an emergency, these steps can help:
- Reach out privately. Something as simple as “Hey, I saw your post and I’m worried about you. How are you really doing?” can mean a lot.
- Listen without judging. Let them talk. You don’t need to fix anything.
- Tell a trusted adult right away. Encourage your friend to talk with family, a teacher, a pastor, or a counselor, and loop in an adult yourself, even if your friend asks you to keep it secret.
- Share the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. Anyone can call or text 988, including you if you’re not sure what to do.
- Report the post. Use the app’s reporting tools so the platform can reach out with resources.
Supporting a friend through something this heavy takes a lot out of you, so take care of yourself, too.
How Parents Can Talk With Teens About Celebrity News
Teens are going to see these headlines whether we like it or not. The good news is that celebrity mental health stories can open the door to meaningful conversations at home. Try starting with curiosity instead of a lecture:
- “Have you seen anything about that online? What are people saying?”
- “How did that story make you feel?”
- “If you ever felt that low, who would you want to talk to?”
Listen more than you talk, and let your teen know they can always come to you, even with hard things. If a story seems to shake them, check in again a few days later.
Focus on the Positives in Media
Limit the negatives you put in your mind each day by limiting your media as much as you can. Then refocus on the positives that are out there: success stories, recovery stories told with hope, funny dog videos, and memes that make you laugh.
These can help break the pattern of negative stories your brain absorbs throughout the day. A few simple ways to tune your feed:
- Unfollow or mute accounts that leave you feeling anxious, angry, or down.
- Follow people and pages that make you laugh, teach you something, or inspire you.
- Set a time limit on news and social apps, especially before bed.
The American Psychological Association has helpful guidance for families on healthy social media use, and our post on disconnecting from technology has more ideas for stepping back from screens.
When Celebrity Mental Health News Is Weighing on Your Teen
Feeling sad, shocked, or unsettled after celebrity mental health news is a normal reaction. Sometimes, though, the news stirs up something that was already there.
| What you notice | A normal reaction | Time to get support |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings | Sad or upset for a few days | Sadness, worry, or numbness that hangs on for weeks |
| Thoughts | Thinks about the story now and then | Cannot stop thinking about it, or seems to see themselves in the story in a worrying way |
| Daily life | Keeps up with school, friends, and activities | Pulls away from friends, family, or things they used to enjoy |
| Sleep and appetite | An off night or two | Big changes that stick around |
| Safety | No concerns | Talks about hopelessness, wanting to die, or hurting themselves |
If you’re seeing more of the right column, reach out for support. If your teen talks about wanting to die or hurting themselves, call or text 988 right away, or go to the nearest emergency room if they are in immediate danger.
How Therapy Helps
Sometimes a celebrity story brings up anxiety, sadness, or fear that a teen has been carrying quietly for a while. Counseling gives them a safe, private place to talk it through.
At Davis-Smith Mental Health, sessions with teens are relaxed and conversational, and our team uses approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help with the worried or heavy thoughts a story can stir up.
Learn more about our teen counseling, depression counseling, and young adult counseling, or read our post on signs of teen anxiety every parent should know.
Keep the Conversation Going at Home
If the news, social media, or something deeper is weighing on your teen or young adult, you don’t have to handle it alone. We offer counseling in person at our New Lenox office and through telehealth for clients who are physically in Illinois during each session.
Our practice does not provide 24/7 crisis care, so in an emergency, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. For everything else, call (815) 409-5940 or request a session online to get started.
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We work with most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options. We believe quality mental health care should be accessible. Davis-Smith Mental Health is in-network with the following insurance providers.
We also offer self-pay options and can provide a Superbill for out-of-network benefits.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
If something told you to keep reading this far, trust that feeling. Whether it’s for yourself, your teen, or your young adult, the hardest part is deciding to start. We are here when you are ready.
there is courage in change ♥
