The Dangerous Glamorization of Mental Health Issues
From “post your pill” to the pro-Ana movement, celebrating mental health issues hurts those who suffer most
A few months ago, I was at the airport when a young girl sat beside me. She wore a white cropped T-shirt that showcased the kind of abdominal muscles you only get from a steady diet of teen angst. Across her chest, in ominous black gothic lettering, were the words “Sad Girl.”
Of course, I immediately wanted to ask her why she was sad, give her a hug, or buy her a rainbow sprinkle donut. I resisted. My second thought was more tempered.
Clearly, she wore her sadness as a badge of honor.
She’s not alone. Podcaster Eileen Kelly’s trending “Going Mental” merchandise features T-shirts and sweatshirts labeled with the brand names “Prozac,” “Wellbutrin,” or “Zoloft.” Good luck snagging one. They have been sold out for months.
While taking depression and anxiety meds once came with a social stigma, now all the cool kids have become billboards for Big Pharma. What gives?
This trend is not new. In 2021, #postyourpill went viral on social media, encouraging mental health sufferers to post an image of their medication. The trend began with the honorable intentions of…
