Reading Hannah Jane Parkinson’s heartfelt tribute to Carrie Fisher in the Guardian meant I finally get celebrity advocacy of mental health. Sometimes I’ve felt celebrities have used mental health issues to excuse any kind of behaviour, whether they really have a diagnosable illness or not (I’m sure many do), while the rest of us have to do our time in the real world of unforgiving judgement.
Hannah portrayed a very different picture. A woman who’s life was constantly on display, and who determined her own record, not only for her benefit but for the benefit of others with bipolar. A woman who is lauded as an icon in a gold bikini – but is so much more: an actor “for a long list of performances… the writer of …books.. prolific script consultant…mental health advocate..dog lover… eccentric tweeter, mother, storyteller.” (Parkinson, 2016)
Carrie gave words of inspiration and encouragement to others who experience bipolar. The outpouring of love and thanks from people in the mental health community is a testimony of that.
The world needs those who are courageous enough to put their life up as an example, as imperfect as any person’s life is. By seeing celebrities as flawed and as human as ourselves, it can give us hope for a better, more regulated life too, or at least one where we can live with dignity, respect and love.
Reblogged this on Floyd, Times Are Changin and commented:
That chases me around too.
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Thank you so much for reblogging!
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Welcome
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For me she was and will always be princess Leila
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I think she is Leila for many. “May the force be with you”🙂
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I loved Carrie and felt like I knew her as a friend. I am still devastated by her loss, yet I’m going to keep on keeping on.
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She means a lot to many people because of her honesty and bravery. Let us help each other “to keep on keeping on”… Thanks for your comment.
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Really heartbreaking. She was really a great person.
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She was dear to many.
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And I love that she had such a great sense of humor regarding her mental health.
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I admire that too! Wonderful woman.
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