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It's a new year and wanting to excel in their respective spaces puts a lot of pressure on some people. This, coupled with unrealistic goals and resolutions, leads to high levels of anxiety and depression, particularly for those in the entertainment industry.
Clinical physiologist Anele Siswana, who has worked with several individuals, told City Press that most celebrities and influencers suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD), a common mood disorder.
In the last two years several celebrities, including Dineo Ranaka, shared how they had been dealing with depression. Last year, Ranaka, took to Instagram and in a now-deleted post and shared:
“I’m trying my best to NOT commit suicide. My mind is sooo loud of late, and life is f------ HARD, so f------ hard, and I’m trying my best, but it seems my best is not enough.”
She later said that she was diagnosed with severe chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Ntyilo Ntyilo hitmaker Rethabile Khumalo, who revealed how she struggled with depression in 2022, told City Press that being in the spotlight had changed her life. She added that her battle with depression was because she had not done as well as she thought she would.
Khumalo said:
She said talking to people she trusted, reading books and perfecting her craft helped her as well. While she used music to heal people, depression which is known as a "silent killer", had got to her.
With the number of celebrities revealing that they suffered from depression, Khumalo said the entertainment industry should raise more awareness about the condition. "A lot of people say that depression is not an illness for black people and that as black people we want attention [when we say we are depressed]. More awareness campaigns and events must be done for people in the industry," said Khumalo.
She said entertainment and social media played a role in fueling depression as there was a lot of bullying on the online platforms. When celebrities trended on social media because of personal issues, this affected their mental health as people turn that into jokes and laughed at them.
"Their comments and remarks make the situation worse. But there are some people who make positive comments and give support," said Khumalo.
She said people being compared on social media also contributed depression as it put pressures on the celebrities.
Khumalo said:
She said she feared for the next generation if the bullying on social media continued and if people on those platforms were not reprimanded. Khumalo, who had a baby in 2022, said she was fortunate that she did not suffered from post-natal depression.
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Meanwhile, Siswana explained that people battling MDD suffered from persistent sadness, hopelessness and a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities.
Common symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death or suicide. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate support.
Siswana also explained that working with celebrities made him realise the depth of society's unreasonable expectations of them.
He said:
With celebrities such as musician Riky Rick and actors Patrick Shai and Siyabonga Zubane who committed suicide in 2022, Siswana said there had been a growing awareness, with more public figures openly discussing their experiences with mental health issues. This helped reduce stigma around mental health and promoted understanding of the condition.
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He added that more work needed to be done in both society and the entertainment industry for a comprehensive and accurate understanding of depression. Siswana said depression was triggered by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental. Psychological factors and that stressful life events, trauma, chronic medical conditions, certain medications and a family history of depression also contributed.
He said:
Siswana explained that social media was contributing to depression for some individuals and cyberbullying, social comparison and the pressure to maintain curated online images could impact people's mental well-being.
“The relationship between social media and depression is complex and not everyone experiences the negative effects. It's important to use social media mindfully and if it starts affecting your mental health, seeking support or limiting usage may be beneficial,” he said.
He said reaching out to social media could provide a platform for celebrities to share their experiences and find support from others going through similar challenges.
Siswana said:
With different online platforms, Siswana said social media could offer valuable resources but this was not a substitute for personalised care from mental health professionals. He added that someone struggling with depression, a combination of online support and professional help was often beneficial.
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“There are resources and support networks specifically tailored for celebrities. Internationally, organisations such as the Actors Fund and the Trevor Project provide mental health support, counselling and resources for individuals in the performing arts, including actors, musicians and other industry professionals,” said Siswana.
He said that celebrities often have access to private mental health professionals and support teams as part of their industry resources. He added that in South Africa people could also get help from a clinical psychologist or African spiritual healers.
