Sinead O'Connor Will Be on the Season Premiere of 'Dr. Phil'

On Tuesday, Sinead O’Connor will sit down with Dr. Phil on the season premiere of his show. Last month, O’Connor posted a video on Facebook saying she was suicidal, and after getting support from fans, began documenting her mental health through the social platform.

In a promotional clip for next week’s episode, O’Connor tells Dr. Phil, “I’m fed up of being defined as the crazy person,” as well as, “I’m changing my name. Sinead O’Connor’s gone.” Based on the clip, O’Connor also sings during the episode and opens up about her mother, saying she was both physically and sexually abusive.

At the end of the clip, Dr. Phil apologizes to O’Connor, saying he’s sorry it took so long for him to find her. To which O’Connor replies “I’m so happy that you did.”

According to Rolling Stone, O’Connor reached out to Dr. Phil to be on his show. “You’ve seen her video she’s posted on Facebook and all, from motel rooms in New Jersey,” Dr. Phil told Jimmy Kimmel while on his show, adding:

She really has had a difficult time, and she said, ‘Look, I’m in trouble. I need help.’ And she called. She said, ‘I want to destigmatize mental illness; I clearly have a problem. … Too many musicians are dying. I want to use my life, be a teaching tool. I’m willing to sit down and talk.’

Dr. Phil has been criticized before for exploiting mental illness for “good” television. Last year, a petition demanded Dr. Phil not air an episode featuring actress Shelley Duvall on the grounds that it was “exploitative.”

The episode airs Tuesday, September 12th. You can watch the promo below:

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.

If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.