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What to Remember Following Pete Davidson’s Latest Mental Health Update

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Editor's Note

If you experience suicidal thoughts, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.

If you’ve ever felt suicidal, you may know what it’s like to feel as though you’re only sticking around for those around you. In a now deleted post, Pete Davidson, who has borderline personality disorder, shared on Saturday how he’s struggling to continue and doesn’t know how much longer he can last.

Pete Davidson's Instagram post: I really don't want to be on this earth anymore. I'm doing my best to stay here for you, but I actually don't know how much longer I can last. All I've ever tried to do was help people. Just remember I told you so.

Davidson’s post came after he praised Kanye West for speaking out about mental health. Davidson said he was “disgusted” at people who pointed fingers at West for talking about his mental health. This was after West called out Ariana Grande, Davidson’s ex-fiancee, for tweeting that everyone should ignore the “grown men arguing online” (West and rapper Drake), and listen to her new song. West told Grande her comment hurt his mental health, and she apologized.

Pete Davidson's Instagram post: Bravo Kanye West for Standing up for yourself and speaking out against mental health. I can't explain to you enough how difficult and scary it is to be honest about stuff like this. We need people like Kanye. No one should ever point fingers at you for your bravery in speaking about mental health. I'm seriously disgusted.

After the post about West, Davidson posted that he doesn’t “want to be on this earth anymore” and all he’s ever tried to do is help others. Many people online have ridiculed Davidson on social media following his breakup with Grande.

If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t go on despite trying your best, Davidson’s post may be hard to see or hear about. If you’re struggling with wanting to be here, you’re not alone. It can feel unfair to feel as though you have to bear emotional pain for the sake of others. You may even feel resentment toward your loved ones if they’re the only thing keeping you alive.

While you may feel like you’re only hanging on for others right now, know that the heaviness and emotional pain you may be carrying will lift, and you’ll find other reasons — reasons for yourself instead of others — to stay.

“Stay when you feel like giving in,” Mighty contributor Leah Carrier wrote. “Stay when everything in you is screaming for relief. Stay long enough to see the sparks ignite into flames as hope burns within you once again. Stay one more day.”

If Davidson’s post is hard for you or if you are feeling suicidal, reach out to someone you trust or find a way to distract yourself until the thoughts become less intense. You can go for a walk, put on a funny show, scream into a pillow, etc. Do whatever will help you see through this moment and the next. One day, you won’t have to try so hard to stay.

Originally published: December 15, 2018
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