Halsey Opens Up About Her Mental Health Struggles & How She Is Seeking Help
GettyImages Singer Halsey sat down with licensed therapist Dr. Snehi Kapur to speak about living with bipolar disorder. She wants to give fans that do not know a lot about it some insight. Halsey also wants to provide resources to those that are struggling to cope with it.
Her ‘Manic’ Album Is Dedicated To Her Struggles
Halsey’s latest album “Manic” was written about all of the different emotions and feelings she was having brought on by her bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where people have two phases. It’s a cyclical pattern of mood changes. The low phase is marred by depression where you are feeling sad and low energy. The second phase is the manic phase which is usually high energy. It is a struggle of people trying to direct their energy. It can take a long time for someone to be diagnosed with it.
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Halsey said a lot of people will say “you don’t seem like you have bipolar disorder.” She thinks that because she is in the spotlight, people think she does not have any mental health issues. Before she had music, Halsey said she was a completely different person than she is now because she didn’t have resources to help her. She was diagnosed in her late adolescence. When she put out her second record, she started to notice the feelings creeping back in slowly. “It’s not that bad right now but I can recognize that if I don’t act on it it will become that way” she said thinking back to that time. One thing that has helped her is going to therapy. Around the time she was working on her “Manic” album, she had to constantly remind herself “this is going to pass.”
Halsey Feels There Is Media Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
Dr. Kapur wants people to realize that they are entitled to whatever they are feeling. She wants people to feel validated and not have to justify the reasons why they feel this way. Young people out there should understand that “mental illness is real but at the same time it is something you can deal with and have a very functional life around.” Halsey demonstrates this since she is constantly touring and making music and living with bipolar disorder. She does not let it stop her even when things get a little tough. But one of the most terrifying parts for her is the media weaponizing mental illness. If she ever misses a show or an appearance, she is terrified that the media will spin the story and make it seem like mental illness is always the reason.
If she has a sore throat and she wants to cancel a show, there is a huge fear that people will say that the real reason is because of her bipolar disorder. Dr. Kapur agrees that living with acceptance may be hard. Being who you are is the most important thing at the end of the day. People should not feel like they have to hide sides of themselves from others because they are afraid they will not be accepted. This goes for average people and celebrities alike.
How People Can Become Allies Of Those With Mental Health Disorders
If you know someone who has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, Dr.Kapur advises to ask them how they are feeling. Understanding what someone is going through and still accepting them will make you a better ally. It is important for people on mental health journeys to realize that they are not alone. Resources for people so that they can help themselves are always available. According to The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, they “provide education, tools, peer support and a wealth of inspiring stories to help you pursue your own path to wellness. Whether you need resources for yourself or someone you care about, DBSA is ready to help. ”
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They offer both in-person and online support groups offering people the opportunity to talk about what they are experiencing. It also allows those to connect who share similar stories. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some may be finding it particularly hard to find people to talk to or are struggling with anxieties and fears. You can click here to see some expert advice about what to do at home during this global crisis to ease your mind. You can also destigmatize your mental health by joining the #howareyoureally challenge to inspire and support others over on the Mental Health Coalition Instagram.
For Halsey, “Manic” was a celebration. She had always considered her manic side to be the worst part of her. In the process of making the album she made peace with this version of herself. When she is manic, that is when she makes her best art because she is compassionate. She credits this side of herself for giving her everything she has. The album is almost like a love letter to the manic side of herself. In the end Halsey wants everyone to know that whether a mental health journey is good or bad, it’s perpetual and change comes from it.
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