Charlotte Dawson: A media death but a normal illness
The death of Charlotte Dawson says a bit about the media spotlight but more about the realities of mental illness, argues Mumbrella’s Tim Burrowes.
It was a strange, sickening feeling this afternoon watching Charlotte Dawson on video. I hadn’t seen it since we published the interview just over a year ago.
But oddly, I thought about her this morning. I was contemplating another person (who I’m not going to mention here) with a high media profile who has suffered with mental illness, to the recent detriment of his career. And I recalled the media trooper who walked into Mumbrella House to promote her (co-written with Jo Thornley) autobiography.
Nice post, Tim.
Nice post Tim. Another interesting piece in the Vine today
http://www.thevine.com.au/life.....23-274588/
What this piece overlooks is there have been ‘guidelines’ in place for media around the use of the word suicide for many years in Australia. The key issue was that the description ‘suicide’ was thought to encourage people – particularly young people – to copycat activity. Perhaps it is time to review that?
Charlotte’s death is exactly why I don’t use social networking sites. Its a shame, as it does ruin it for the ones who use it for genuine reasons. I think something definitely needs to be done. Facebook and Twitter should be shut down. Too many lives have been lost, all because of words on a screen.
I’m currently trying to deal with mental illness. I was diagnosed close two christmases ago. Pyschosis .Not from alcohol.(im not much of a drinker). Mental breakdown. All I care about is getting through each day. At the end of the day, who cares what the world thinks. Soon as Ive had thoughts of killing myself, i stop to think that my life isnt over. I have family to live for. There is plenty to live for, family and friends. Please people for those who are experiencing depression, they don’t call it Lifeline for nothing. Please get thehelp. Relaxation music helps as well.RIP Charlotte X
Yes, nice blog Tim.
I will never forget when Rebecca Gibney separated from her husband(Jack Jones, I think) because of the reaction of the gossip columnists in the Daily telegraph. The writers conducted a witch hunt almost daily in their attempts to destroy Jones, targeting his career, character & anything else they could. If my memory serves me well I think they called for a boycott which resulted in Jones losing a job. I wondered if it was that assassination that caused him to move overseas. Never underestimate what a campaign of hatred can do. That said, obviously those with illness are more vulnerable to bullying & it’s effects so withdrawing from social media may be a good protective measure.
It doesn’t take guts to kill oneself. It’s state of mind.