On July 3rd, singer Liam Payne posted a message to his Instagram account that now has his fans showing an outpouring of support for him on Twitter.
Payne posted a block of text on his Instagram Story, and some fans are expressing their worry about his mental health in response. Payne wrote a slightly cryptic message about what seemed to be relationship issues.
Payne was previously engaged to Maya Henry, but confirmed their split during his appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast in early June - that split is most likely also the subject of this particular text block.
Payne told Steven Bartlett during the podcast that he’s “disappointed” that he “keeps on hurting people,” and that the pair called off their planned marriage to focus on themselves. Payne and Henry were first linked in the summer of 2018, and were engaged for under a year.
During the podcast, Payne also opened up about his suicidal thoughts, and drinking alcohol to cope. He mentioned that the intense fan attention that came with the global fame of One Direction turned him into an “angry person,” who overused substances to deal with the pressure during his rise to fame. Payne noted that there was intense security required to keep the band members safe, which limited his freedom as a young man.
Payne also did say that he realized that he needed to make changes and has been making efforts to be healthier, including attending therapy and engaging in physical activity.
Fans on Twitter were buzzing about Payne’s Instagram post, and the hashtag “weloveliam” was trending just a few short hours after it went up.
Celebrities have been increasingly opening up about their mental health recently. This year alone, Meghan Markle and actress Taraji P. Henson revealed for the first time publicly that they battled suicidal thoughts. Recently, Matthew Perry from the popular show, Friends, also opened up about having anxiety and dependence on substances.
Fans seem to be particularly struck by revelations from male celebrities, as male mental health is not spoken about as often as it is for women.
Statistics do show that men in the US experience higher rates of suicide, and are more likely to become dependent on alcohol than women. However, men are also less likely to seek help, due to societal expectations and perceptions of "masculinity."
June is recognized as Men’s Mental Heath Awareness Month, and efforts are being made in many countries to educate individuals on the types of mental illnesses that most often impact men, and how to recognize the signs. There is also a call to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
To learn more about men's mental health, you can click here. If you or someone you know is struggling, and you would like resources for mental health, please click here.