Fiona’s depression: ‘It’s a brutal sledgehammer’
Fiona Phillips slams those that bandy about the word ‘depression’ lightly…
Speaking about concerns over US rapper Kanye West’s recent behaviour, Fiona Phillips has called for us all to stop ‘ trivialising’ mental health.
Following Kim Kardashian’s statement on her husband Kanye’s battle with bipolar, the 59-yearold TV presenter urged people to understand the meaning of ‘depression’, not simply pepper their conversations with the term, when it’s not what they’re experiencing.
‘Have you noticed how many times you hear the sentence: “I am so depressed”?’ Fiona asked. ‘The problem is, there’s a danger in talking about things too much. People interpret mental health in different ways.
‘For instance, a teenager might say: “I’m so depressed” if they read about a heartthrob musician hooking up with a gorgeous model,’ she added. ‘How about: “I am so
depressed that Zayn Malik is back with Gigi Hadid”. No, you’re not. You’re jealous, not mentally ill.’
Believing the phrase ‘I am so
depressed’ is one of ‘our most overused sentences’, she added, ‘It is uttered by people who mostly have no idea what real depression is. Sentences such as: “I’m so
depressed, that dress I liked has sold out now” completely trivialises what it means to have a mental health breakdown.’
And Fiona should know – she has been honest about her own depression in the past, and revealed just weeks ago in her Mirror newspaper column, ‘Real depression and real anxiety can both be the most scary, uncontrollable states to be locked in, or to witness.’ Marvelling at what humans can do today – walk on the moon, transplant hearts – Fiona added that what’s plagues her own life is ‘the horrible sledgehammer of depression” which, as yet, there is no magic ‘cure’ for. Let’s hope there is soon, Fiona.