Scots singer Annie Lennox has expressed her worry after fellow musician Sinéad O’Connor posted a distressing video online speaking openly about her battle with mental illness.
Lennox took to her Facebook and wrote: “I just watched this truly distressing call for help by Sinead O’Connor, from a motel room in New Jersey, where she says there’s no one there to help her, with the exception of a psychiatrist and a doctor.
“I realise that Sinead has some serious mental health issues, but she appears to be completely out on a limb and I’m concerned for her safety.
WARNING - Video contains some strong language:
“Are there no close friends or family who could be with her to give her some loving support? It’s terrible to see her in such a vulnerable state.”
Her comments came after the Nothing Compares 2 U hitmaker, from Ireland, posted a 12-minute long clip of herself onto her Facebook on August 3 in which she sobbed while revealing the extent to which she has been suffering from depression.
Filmed out of a hotel room she checked herself into, the 50-year-old mother-of-four told viewers: “I am now living in a Travelodge motel in the a**e end of New Jersey. I’m all by myself.
“There’s absolutely nobody in my life except my doctor, my psychiatrist - the sweetest man on Earth, who says I’m his hero - and that’s about the only f***ing thing keeping me alive at the moment. That’s kind of pathetic.
“I want everyone to know what it’s like - that’s why I’m making this video.”
Describing mental illness as being “like drugs,” She continued: “It doesn’t give a s*** who you are… Suddenly, all the people who are supposed to be loving you and taking care of you are treating you like s***. It’s like a witch hunt.”
With many concerned fans sharing and commenting on the post from across the globe, another post has since been written on the singer’s page.
Posted early this morning, it said: “Hi everybody, I am posting at Sinead’s request, to let everyone who loves her know she is safe, and she is not suicidal.
“She is surrounded by love and receiving the best of care. She asked for this to be posted knowing you are concerned for her.
“I won’t respond to any questions, so please understand. I hope this comforts those of you were concerned.”
If you or someone you know is having a difficult time, please don’t suffer alone. Visit this helpful NHS site for information on available help, or head to the Heads Together site for more useful information.
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