What We Can Learn From Fiona Apple's Response to Sinead O'Connor's Video

Earlier this month, Sinead O’Connor posted a 12-minute video about her mental health to social media. Since then, her video has been viewed over two million times, including by singer Fiona Apple, who shared a video in response to O’Connor on Thursday.

Apple’s video addresses one of the comments made during O’Connor’s video in which O’Connor says:

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 thing keeping me alive at the moment … And that’s kind of pathetic.

Apple replies, in a 38-second video, that O’Connor is her hero, adding:

I want you to know that you are my hero as well. I just saw the video of you and I don’t want you to feel like that. I don’t want you to feel like that. You’ve given so much. And I wish I could be there. I wish I could be of some use to you… I’m your friend, that’s all I want to say, and you’re my hero.

A day after posting her message to O’Connor, Apple posted a second video titled “Sinead O’Connor is my hero.” In the video, Apple watches and sings along to a video of O’Connor performing.

If seeing a celebrity in crisis makes you feel helpless, take a page from Apple’s book and reach out. While celebs have a platform that’s easily accessible to fans, it can be harder for us to make an impact on them. If leaving a supportive comment on social media doesn’t feel like enough, don’t forget about the people in your life you can have an effect on. If there’s someone you know who has a history of struggling with their mental health, reach out and remind them you care about them.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “HOME” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.