Creative Artists and Mental Health Issues
Mental Health Issues are prevalent in our society in increasing numbers. From Depression to Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, and the fact that the media is shedding light on mental health, the overall effect is that people do not see mental health issues in as negative a light as perhaps they did in the past. Perhaps it is due to the media’s influence that society has changed its views on mental health issues.
There is one area in a career-based field that seems to defy this trend: the field of creative arts, and even more specifically those who are writers. Perhaps it is because so many writers and artists of the past had mental health issues that the area is well known for this fact. Should anyone name a few people who had mental health issues there is a common thread. Many lead highly creative lives only to die by their own hands, or succumb to a mental breakdown: Ernest Hemingway, who killed himself, Virginia Woolf, also suicide, Silvia Plath, a suicide as well, Edgar Allan Poe also died young, Iris Chang also committed suicide.
Of course, these are the names that most people associate with in the creative arts, and in particular in the field of writing. This is true, as writers are particularly at risk since they plume the highs and depths of human emotions. There is a possibility that since these writers were asking probing questions in their writing this might have triggered their mental issues thereby leading or significantly contributing to their suicides.
Is logic correct?
The logic that it was their mental health issues that lead to their suicides is sound, but change the time and the ability to get proper medical attention and their suicides might not have occurred. This is of course, a bit of speculation, as mental health issues are unique to each individual. Even with modern medical techniques and medications, their suicides might have still happened. Of course, not all who have mental health problems commit suicide but when a well-known writer or artist does it gets a lot more attention than when an unknown person kills him or herself.
Is the logic Incorrect?
Iris Chang is a prime example since she committed suicide in 2004, she was a historical writer, who wrote the Rape of Nanking. She was at work on another book, and touring at the time of her death. According to her family, this lead to sleep deprivation, which brought about a depression. Police would later find her in her car, dead. At the time of her death, she was on medication for her moods, and many people felt her slipping away, yet it did little to help. She had access to the medications and was in the care of her family, yet she still died. There were warning signs in the three suicide notes she wrote shortly before her death.
What should be done?
Understanding between the medical and the creative arts community needs to be increased. For writers the work they produce is part of themselves and their income. Often this leads to sleep deprivation, and stress. It is not limited to the famous writers, or simply to writers. It encompasses the creative arts field. To a great extent the families of all artists need to pay attention to any mental health issues they may have. They need to be involved when warning signs become apparent. They can communicate to the writer on a stronger level than the medical community, as they see the effects first hand.
It is important that the families remain positive in dealing with mental health issues, and that they not blame the work the artist is doing as this will alienate a writer. Compassion and understanding are key factor in getting the help that these people need.
Mental health issues can be coped with and in many cases overcome, but an artist needs to know they are loved, and their work is valued by the people they care about.
© Rebecca Anne Emrich
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