Sunday 10 August 2014

Making light of mental illness?

I have never written a post like this before. For me, blogging is my own little piece on the internet where I can write about all things pretty and girlie. It is a way for me to relax and have some me time.

However, sometimes among the posts of makeup, food and fashion, an article appears which makes me think twice. I hope this post will do the same for some of you. 

I enjoy reading Sunday supplements, I have always liked the YOU magazine in the Mail on Sunday. However, one of their recent issues troubled me.

American star Demi Lovato spoke openly about her battle with depression and mental illness in one of YOU magazine's July issues. There was at least a four-page spread on the starlet documenting her troubles which started at a young age. Sometimes it is hard to believe Demi is still only 21. 

Her father, Patrick Lovato, died of cancer last year. Patrick also struggled with mental health issues. 

Then a few pages along in the magazine this style article was printed.




Now, don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the journalist, or her writing. I know the journalist wouldn't had created her column name or headline. That would have been down to the YOU subbing team.

With that in mind, I find the two articles sitting so close together makes me feel uncomfortable. Here we have a feature about how mental illness can destroy a person then flick forward a few pages and we have a feature called Confessions of a Style Schizophrenic. Seems a little thoughtless, no?

Sorry YOU magazine, this was an ill-thought out edition and I doubt I would be the only person this would have touched a nerve with. 

Did you see this? Even if you didn't, what do you think? Harmless and shouldn't be taken too seriously, or was there a lack of judgement in this issue?

2 comments:

  1. I agree that this is very poorly thought out - it also often happens that following an article about body confidence there will be an article about diets! It's no wonder so many people do have mental health issues when you look at how the media is constantly contradicting itself - we just don't know what to do for the best.
    This post definitely made me think, so well done! :)
    Rebecca, from The Two Twenty Somethings (www.thetwotwentysomethings.blogspot.co.uk)
    Xx

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  2. I totally agree with you, it's not right. The persons who proofread the magazine should also look at the entire thing alltogether - and have caught it there. x

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