I want to apologize for including an example of autism merch at the end of this mental illness merch video. I of course understand autism is not a mental illness, it is a developmental disorder, but it is still made light of often. thank you to those of you so far that have shared your thoughts and feelings about the item of clothing and your experience with autism! thank you to everyone for being so open ❤️
where the fuck is lay? I've seen a few comments on this already, bit I would /love/ if you would do a video on ADHD or other developmental disorders. I'm not particularly sensitive about it being made fun of, usually, but knowing my own parents don'treally take it seriously at all aside from just giving me the meds like I want, shows me that nothing will change about how it's seen by others unless it becomes a more discussed topic or something.
Sarah Hawkinson personally I don't mind when people call it a mental illness rather than a neurological or developmental disorder, obviously I don't speak for the whole autism community though. I think this because autism in my experience does affect my daily life and my emotions a lot, and for many people is often linked to anxiety, depression and sometimes mood disorders. I think many people still take issue with it being called a mental illness is because firstly, it isn't quite right technically, and also because of the negative relationship autism and mental health issues have had with society in the past. There is still such a stigma about mental illness and also autism that people are afraid of the labelling that they will get if people think " oh autism=mental illness=crazy/dangerous." Of course none of that is true, but there are some intolerant people out there who think just that
+Sarah Hawkinson I'm assuming that those last few examples were sold on Red Bubble (I recognise the models). Unfortunately since the products on RB are designed by independent artists there's no real monitoring of what shirts are sold. That's why you see a mish-mash of products displaying jokes about mental illness and shirts that oppose it. Designs are usually only taken down if they promote "hate speech", but sadly RB doesn't usually see making fun of illness as hateful enough to be of any concern.
People do the same with depression, like they say "I'm so depressed" when they just want to say they're sad, I have depression and i can say that they're two very different things
I would be worried about someone wearing that shirt in public. The police might take one look at that, tackle, handcuff, and drive the person to the hospital. When it comes to mental health crisis or if a cop suspects it they basically arrest you and treat you like a common criminal.
@@janellephoenix4378 never mind the idea that this isn’t how the cops work, if we’re in a society where mental illness on your sleeve is seen as a criminal, shouldn’t MORE people be standing up and saying something? You’re not being unsafe by wearing mental illness paraphernalia; cops can only arrest under suicidal attempt, danger to community/themselves(not appearance related), or parental concern (and even the later has exceptions where they can’t be hospitalized). Please educate yourself before discouraging people rising to the cause.
@@yvettkind1722 Excuse me? Have you been harassed by cops for being in an unstable state? Have any of them threatened to brake your neck if you ran away? Or try to shoot you? Have you ever had the experience of being locked up in a dark room with a mat on the floor for days because you attempted suicide? I’ve had those experiences. I love how people like to talk about experiences they haven’t personally dealt with. Wearing a mental illness shirt might not get me arrested but because of my experiences with mental health and the police I’m a little paranoid about doing anything that could cause them to come get me again.
@@janellephoenix4378 @Megan Grant I've never known the cops to threaten shooting or physical abuse with a mental health victim - though I have heard of ballsy restraints that aren't allow. I have been through several cop calls, in patients, as well as a residential treatment center out of state. It gets super rough and I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I have heard of restraining running victims. I have heard of negative harassment and have received such. This is enough information for a full on lawsuit - threatening a gun isn't mandatory at all. May I ask what state you're in? I want to look more into this and spike a change - this behavior isn't only disgraceful, but it's terrifying and extremely dangerous for all involved. In New York, solitary confinement isn't legal unless direct supervision in licensed "therapy" rooms(which aren't more than a concrete painted box)- so I imagine our laws are a lot more lax. I have known people to stay over 24 hours in here because of behavior and it's terrifying. I'm sorry to hear what you've been through.
@@yvettkind1722 Thanks for your support! We really do need more people fighting for people’s mental health. That’s really awesome that you are wanting to help. I lived in Virginia that’s where all of my encounters took place and where I was hospitalized (under those circumstances). I have recently moved away from Virginia because there weren’t that many jobs or good programs/resources for mental illnesses. I pretty much was fed up by all the crap I went through there. I wasn’t getting much help while in Virginia. I’m now in a better location where there are a whole lot more options. And I hope I can finally get some actual help for my trauma issues and mental illnesses. It would be nice to get my life on track for once. 😊
instead of the necklaces saying “anxiety” or “depression” wouldn’t a better message to say be like “hope” or “strength” edit: wow thank u for all the likes I’ve never had this many 💗💗
Exactly, it isn’t empowering and people need to stop excusing these things by saying that the money raised will be donated to charities. Those necklaces are ugly and make me feel awful. Why would u wear depression around ur neck :(
I used to have really severe anxiety, to the point I couldn't leave the house, why would you love that? thats so fcuked up. There is a difference between accepting it's apart of you, and "loving it"
Alex Dawson right? It makes me think they’re faking it. If I were given the choice not to have depression and ocd I would absolutely take it without hesitation.
This is so true. Like when I told people that I have those issues they were like "fine", but then I unfortunately had a panic attack in public. Suddenly not fine anymore, because those attacks don't look cute or funny at all
Very trueee, my ex told me that it's okay and he will help me lol turns out I'm just acting as if I was a child in his eyes and that it's my fault that I'm not being able to talk while having a mental break down. 😂 Like yea, totally boy
Who the fuck is beebo? Buh same I feel like I could never tell my friends that I have clinical depression or anxiety because they would respond the exact same way. Depression and anxiety aren't even illnesses anymore, they are "moods" or "relatable"
As someone who has ptsd from past abusive relationships, the shirt that said “Pretty Talented Sometimes Demented” really upset me. People with ptsd are not demented, it’s not their fault that bad shit happened to them.
Lily I don’t have ocd but it disappoints me when people say “I have ocd my room is usually neat and everything I have is organized” do they think they’re cool? Like maybe research before you speak or stfu.
My sister has OCD. It takes over her life. It makes me so angry to see people making fun of it, and self diagnosing. Mental illness isn’t funny at all. People really have to understand that.
Not necessarily, I have diagnosed and medicated anxiety and depression and kind of glitter covering it helps for me, I want to try be honest with myself and to a degree embrace my mental illnesses so I can hopefully keep them in check and be able to seek help for them, which due to anxiety mainly I very much struggle with booking appointments, seeking help, doing positive things as I tend to run from them. So for me having a "cute" or aesthetic reminder can help me face my problems and do what I need to do. But everyone does suffer in different ways.
i have to disagree, i have diagnosed SAD and idk, something about wearing a pretty anxiety pin or something is...comforting? like, yeah i have this, it sucks, i cant do anything about it, why not embrace it in a way thats also cute.
Yeah I got anxiety just from looking at it. I’m terrified of judgment because I was bullied and traumatized in my past. I have social anxiety though, so I have a hard time working or going outside in general.
Your Nemesis I agree. I feel the pick anxiety and depression because the common and have become 'trendy' and 'edgy' and clearly romanticised. You would never see physical illnesses, learning difficulties like dyslexia being use
Vintage Nemo i remember back when i was in elementary school it was really popular to wear those 'i love boobies' wristbands for breast cancer. never liked that trend. breast cancer awareness shouldn't hinge on some ones sexualisation of breasts, which i get might not have been the intention, but it def looked like it.
@@mynameswhatsername6952 OH MY GOD not enough people talk about that. Let's not forget that many women with breast cancer are older! If you sexualise breast cancer awareness, you're ignoring a large portion of the potential victims who aren't 'conventionally attractive and young' anymore. And of course it's insulting and minimising to the people who suffer breast cancer.
uhm... I don't know if that's an European thing but we have the "red bow" for AIDS awareness. It's not something one wears everyday, more around awareness events and such. I knew what it meant from a young age because we had comprehensive sex ed in elementary school. Not quite merch because it's handed out for free. But, like, it exists.
the things that have “anxiety” and “depression” on them in cute and aesthetic lettering is kinda offending bc they are almost fethishizing those mental illnesses and yes they are the most common but they are also HELL to live with everyday. using them as an aesthetic is so upsetting to see and i wish it didn’t happen.
It's_Maddo Glamorizing depression is so dumb, nothing is romantic or beautiful about not showering or brushing your teeth or brushing your hair bc you're too depressed
Not sure if you'll see this, but along with yami kawaii, there is a style called "men hera" in Japan, which is short for "mental healther." I think the idea is similar to yami kawaii where people will wear their mental illness on the outside to bring awareness. If you plan to make a video on yami kawaii, checking out men hera may also help!
CeilM 39 this is an old comment but menhera is pretty different because it's more of a medical/hospital aesthetic (nurses, red crosses, syringes, surgical masks) than the more mental health related aspects of yami kawaii (nooses & such)
yeah people pretend they’re “crazy” which is rude and disrespectful like wtf that’s not okay aspd isn’t fun it really fucks with your brain and your actions
“Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate and ruthlessly plot their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations and empty wallets” - Without conscience, written by Robert D. Hare. In other words, a psychopath is definitely not what some people identify it as. Meaning that any person pretending that they’re ‘Crazy’ or a ‘Psycho’ are usually very incorrect and not educated about psychopathy at all. Psychopathy is a personality disorder defined by a distinctive cluster of behaviours and inferred personality traits.
there should definitely be cute things to spread awareness but things that say like “fight the stigma” or “depression survivor” instead of cutesy things
Bella Krueger it’s unrealistic for people to think that one day they’ll just be fixed. They should continuously work on themselves in order to get better. And It’s especially bad for others to think of depression that way because they have to understand there are good days and bad days. And some days are just bad for no reason, and that’s ok.
I have OCD because I have very obsessive thoughts. I was diagnosed at 18. It’s so frustrating when someone says “I’m so ocd” casually as they organize something. Just no. My thoughts are so pressing they keep me awake for days at a time. I get up about every 20 minutes to make sure my are locked. I talk myself in circles in conversations, repeating myself repeatedly, because I can’t get the thought out of my head. I repeatedly brush my hair to the point where it’s thinning. I drink so much water a day that my pee is clear and i pee about every ten to twenty minutes. If my pee is anything but clear, I’m terrified I’m dehydrated. If I can’t brush my teeth directly after I eat I start to panic. OCD is not just liking things clean and tidy. It’s obsessing over ‘trivial’ things to the point of extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I don’t know why anyone would want to label themselves with this hell.
My OCD is very similar, but I've found that recording myself on my phone has helped me a lot when trying to sleep, I record myself locking my door etc and instead of getting up to check, I check my phone. Idk if that can help you but it has really helped me out a lot, it's a bit like a security net for me.
Iv recently got diagnosed with OCD, though my OCD is more to do with cleanliness and contamination it still makes life hard, however I have a friend who seems convinced she has OCD because she likes things tidy and will regally say 'ugh I'm being so OCD today' or 'my OCD is playing up again' and iv told her multiple times that that's not what OCD means but she refuses to believe it, gets kind of ironic when shes sitting there making a comment like that as she watches me sterilise my desk so I can put my bag down...
You included red bubble merchandise at the end. Red Bubble doesn’t create the merchandise, people upload images and can create it into anything, red bubble just creates it and sends it to people, they have no say in what is uploaded and made into clothing on the website.
certain shirts like the depression joke shirt probably don't go against any site guidelines either, so they might not see a reason to take it down. idk.
in Japan, there is mental illness merch too, called 病みかわいい (Sickly cute.) Which often involves bandages on arms, medical theme, and taglines on it like "I want to die", or "Kill me". However, in Japan this is seen as a positive thing, due to the stigma of mental illness. Its like putting a spotlight on it by using the difference of dark themes and pastel cute colours. I'm not sure if the difference between cultures is what makes it so wrong here, or because Americans get offended more easily (you have a more expressive country), but. I do not see a problem with it, as I have suffered with depression and social anxiety badly since I was a child and anything or it to become less stigmatized and more normal is a good thing for me. I know, countries like America speak of mental illness more but surely there are still misconceptions. I don't know, it's just my opinion, but I see it as a good thing. This video explains better than I could: ua-cam.com/video/1Wsk3Oa_3F8/v-deo.html
It might be because some people can't tell if it's just for fashion or if it's truly for a cause. (I think of it as both, where the cute part of it is fashion and the sick part of it being for a cause)
I have depression and anxiety. When I saw a video about this style it got me into the style. I also get why they dress like that. I live in Sweden and I have never seen anyone dress in this style. Japans mental illness merch shows it much better, with dark colors and such. I think the merch in this video didn't represent mental illness in a good way. I mean "Anxiety" in glitter isn't really good.
Wow, that's neat. To me, in my opinion, it seems like, because Japan has stigmatized mental illness so much people don't want to talk about it, so instead Yami Kawaii makes people look at it, literally _see_ the problem. To me, the kawaii-ness of the clothing and the contrast of the dark elements draws so many people in because the Kawaii-ness is like the outer face, it's what people show the world while the dark elements represent what is underneath, what people really feel. Like the button that looks really cute but says "I want to die". The outer look is the public face, the words are the hidden feelings and so it draws people in because they can relate to it.
Yeah ,in the west we are all very aware of mental illness, we iust romanticize it and thats why alot of this is wrong ,but from what ive read, in japan ,people aren't even really aware so making people see it ,brings a bit of attention to it and might get the masses in japan thinking a bit more about it
i totally agree with you on mental illness clothing not decreasing stigma. a shirt or necklace that says anxiety or depression provides no information on these disorders, no resources, NOTHING other than the name. i don't know how believable it is that it "normalizes" mental illness or "prompts discussion" because i can't see many people approaching someone that is wearing a necklace with "bipolar" on it asking that person for info about bipolar disorder. i totally agree with the good intentions, but that doesn't mean the impact is 100% good!! i especially feel like the language "anxiety queen" is a little glamorizing? i would maybe have less of an issue if it said something like "ask me about my anxiety" or "anxiety doesn't define me." i'm all for "owning" our mental illnesses, but i think there is a way to do so that is less exploitive. i think there are totally clothing items that are positive for mental illness stigma. for example, i have a few shirts from past NEDA walks that say things like "hope starts here" - i think that's a good message about mental illness to share as opposed to just saying "eating disorders"! or i used to see a shirt going around the online ed recovery community that said "100 reasons to recover" which is a blog dedicated to bringing hope for recovery - that's a shirt that might prompt someone to look up what ARE 100 reasons to recover and find a place that is pro-recovery and discover information from there! there are totally positive outcomes from wearing "mental illness merch" but i think the execution needs to be stronger. "it's a baby body suit" LMAOOOOOO these videos are always a pleasure
Are agree! I also remember seeing some bracelets that said something like “ no story should end too soon - suicide awareness. I think that and the NEDA shirts are a great example of how to I guess “ represent “ mental illness it shows hope and that it will get better and there’s other people that know that. It’s like with band T-shirt’s you may think that in your town no one knows your favorite band and then you go to a different state and you see like 50 people wearing a black veil brides shirt and you instantly feel accepted or like they get you. I hope this makes sense
6 років тому
EMMA PLEASE DO A VIDEO ABOUT THIS! Ever since I saw the post for the necklaces on instagram and bursted into tears (still not sure why it affected me soo much..) I've wanted to hear your opinion about it!
Agree. Don't like the shirts in the video but I gladly wear shirts from walks that I've done that actually have information and resources printed on them.
the thing about yami kawaii/menhera/cute hospital aesthetics is that a lot of people (including myself) use them to cope. I spend a lot of time in hospitals, in doctor's offices, around psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists. I used to hate it, but I like to think that cute/pastel hospital things made me feel like it wasn't so bad, and I use it to cope with the amount of time i spend there. As for the fashion part, (yami kawaii, menhera) it makes me feel like I can be mentally ill *and* cute. I think there's a lot of stereotyping about how if you're mentally ill, you can't be normal, you can't function like the rest of people, and you can't be cute. A lot of what these subcultures are saying is that you can be mentally ill and dress cute, and bringing medical elements into it helps a lot of people cope. I'm not into fashion, but I do draw, I draw a lot of cute/kawaii nurses because it makes me feel better. Some people might dress like that, or make blogs about it. Using medical elements can make someone feel better because they don't feel powerless, it might make them think "If I have to spend so much time dealing with doctors, blood tests, and pills, I might as well try to make it less scary" I like the style because I can express myself, I can make my experiences less scary. I'm not saying they aren't, not being able to leave your room because the thing outside will kill you is fucking scary, but it helps me cope. Anyways, these are just my thoughts, I'd love to hear yours.
I totally agree with you! For a while, I was in and out of hospitals and it made me feel disgusting and gross. I don't exactly love the self-harm and suicide aspects of yami kawaii but I love the medical part. I love it because I want to feel cute and it makes me feel less guilty and I'm glad some people think it's cute 💕
I definitely agree, I wear yami kawaii and I suffer from mental illnesses, and physical illnesses, I use medical themes because it makes me feel like at least if I have to deal with this I can use my fashion to cope and feel like I’m not so isolated.
If I wore an anxiety pin on my backpack, it would be my way of showing I'm no longer afraid of y own self. It would be a "yes, I have anxiety, but I'm trying to live life anyway." I have certain friends who would rather not talk about these things, so having that there would help them understand without bringing it up.
Why would you show to strangers that you used to be afraid of yourself? If I had anxiety but got over it, why would I advertise my no-longer existing problem? It's like not getting over the past and attention seeking. If you dare to wear products like those, you can also ask for help. I had a classmate with anxiety, she had to go to a special school. Wearing anxiety labeled accessory would give her more anxiety because her state originated from paranoia.
@@BenefitCounterbench Hun, like the person above said, it's individual. Not everyone with anxiety is the same. There are different levels of anxiety. Don't tell people how to live their life...
There is an AMAZING book by Francesca Zappia called "made you up" with a schizophrenic main character who isn't CrAZy And WiLDly mURdErouS and doesn't hear voices and is sane and it's so good I recommend it so so so much!
emotional_canteloupe I loved that book! However, it got lots of bad reviews for the type of schizophrenia she had even though the author explained it and said it’s not common for a teen to have that type, but it is possible. It’s good read even if you don’t care for the mental illness aspect. 😊 she’s a good author
I personally have a shirt that says "Autism is my superpower", which I wear for awareness events. I definitely feel empowered by wearing my disorder on my sleeve, but I totally understand that many people don't feel safe doing so. I hid it for a really long time. It took years for me to accept myself and say screw it to stigma and societal standards.
PhantomSaysHi I can see were your coming from here. I think that maybe it might be harder for people with depression or bipolar, seeing as they are illnesses that are commonly considered “cure-able”. I think it’s great that you’re becoming more confident though.
The thing about autism is that it's not like depression or anxiety where all it does is hurt your brain. Although hyperfixation is a common symptom, it can lead to some pretty amazing things. I don't have autism, but I've come to understand it quite well, and I know that it's not something that's necessarily good or bad.
Yami kawaii is supposed to give awareness of depression and self harm by putting it in harajuku fashion. She didn't mention how the mini documentary about this fashion ,is actually helping the people who suffer with mental illness , they even say it is a healthy outlet for them because fashion is an art in Japan, it means something, they want to project their feelings , they want to break the taboo about talking about mental illness with this fashion . Yami kawaii has a purpose .
she is aware of this however its a common opinion that although the trend (for lack of a better word aha) have good intent it actually does more harm than good which i think why this is a complicated topic :0
kimkannival I think with Yami Kawaii it does have its purpose and it can be helpful but at the same time when there's a manga where a girl gets her superpowers by cutting herself it should absolutely not be sold. If a kid has seen this or someone who can be easily influenced then it will absolutely give the wrong message tbh
Burnt Toast as with my origional comment, i dont doubt that menhera chan was created with good intention, even i draw art that could be similar to vent out my negative feelings. However i understand that young children may see this art and be influenced to act harmfully to themselves :•( i wouldnt want that happening ever so i always try to avoid glorifying self harm or other destructive things. I dont think menhera chan is wrong but i definitely think it could cause a lot of damage if precautions arent taken ;-; Its a hard topic, and it calls into question a balance of freedom of self expression and responsibility. I dont think there is a definate answer but i think the best thing to is to always encourage people to stay safe :•) sorry for that big ramble aaa
It sucks that depression and anxiety have become these "pretty" disorders. I've suffered from both since I was 13, so seven years now. People took me more seriously back then because it wasn't as romanticized as it is today. It sucks, and it makes it harder to deal with my very real disorders.
Hunter Scott That girl at my school diagnosed herself with depression one day after i told her that i have been suffering from crippeling depression and social anxiety for 3 years. (She also thinks she is a vampire)
why would anyone love their anxiety? that’s not quirky or woke it’s illogical. anxiety is not a shy girl blushing and looking down, it’s suffocation. my anxiety kept me from living or being myself.
I was at work once and was just tidying some leaflets that were on the desk. Some guy then "joked" "oh, you're a bit OCD then?! Haha!". I actually DO have OCD and it is not a laughing matter. When I said that I actually have got OCD, he "joked", "well you haven't got your ruler out, it can't be that bad, haha". WHAT?! I was just like "No, I actually was diagnosed as a teenager". Honestly, the sheer lack of respect was unbelievable! The thing is, me tidying the leaflet wasn't even a compulsion, I was literally tidying it because it's my job to keep things tidy on the desk! I made it quite obvious from this point on that I had not found his "jokes" funny in anyway. I was so angry when I left work, there was no excuse for him to belittle me in that way.
Exactly. I don't get why people think OCD is always wanting things to be straight and perfect. I've also seen so many people claim to have OCD and self-diagnose because they think its quirky.
I had obsessive compulsive behavior when I was younger, but it wasn't all about cleaning. A lot of the compulsions were random and weird. Got me in trouble at home.
There were girls in my class this past semester who thought it was quirky to talk about how "anxious" they were all the time when it was very clearly just general anxiety. But when Bipolar depression, which I was diagnosed with a few months ago, was brought up one day they acted as if anyone with it was insane and should be institutionalized. Needless to say it pissed me off because they can talk about their ~aesthetically pleasing~ mental illness meanwhile I'm a deranged psycho because I'm sad one part of the day and then very happy the next.
I really really don’t get why some people think being depressed or having an anxiety disorder is an “aesthetic” As someone who struggles with both, it makes me so uncomfortable and I never know how to react It makes me feel like I’m a joke
Yeah. I struggle hard with existential depression and it's the worst fucking thing ever. I don't think anyone who has EVER experienced actual depression would think it was cute. Because it makes u wanna fucking die
To be honest, those people making it "cool" or "romantic" to be depressed or anxious (and nothing else) is a large part of the reason why I never spoke up as a teenager when I felt that way... I was so upset and preoccupied with not wanting to be seen as "faking it for attention" or being a band-wagon jumper that I subsequently didn't get help until I tried to kill myself. This kind of attention imo doesn't help the cause, it hinders it. Even now as an adult where my cluster of mental disorders is less crippling than it was when I was younger, I still cringe when I see MIs glorified like this. My OCPD &OCD isn't a phase. Depression isn't "tragically beautiful". People who tell you that they love their illnesses are either filthy liars, or out of their MIND because believe you me, if I could rid myself of these health problems I would, quicker than you could blink with no second thoughts.
Sophia Neilsson exactly, nothing is romantic about not showering or brushing your hair for a week because of depression lol, or being too depressed to brush your teeth
This may seem like the wrong place to ask but who did you talk to? I’m too afraid to talk to my mum about how I feel because I don’t want to make it seem like I’m overreacting but I can’t seem to get happy, I spoke to Samaritans who weren’t very helpful do idk what to do
Yes I agree with you whole heartedly. I feel as though normalizing these mental illnesses makes people think it's alright to feel this way. To an extent, yes most people feel that way but it's not okay when it effects how to interact with other people and how you view yourself. It's not okay when you can't get out of bed, or even order some fucking food to feed yourself. How could people glamorize this behavior? I'd never want mental illness to be demonized but for it to be glamorized it almost just as bad. Why can't there just be some middle ground? Lol.
I wear menhera (similar to yami but yami is just aesthetic where as menhera is a movement by and for people with disabilities etc) and I love wearing things that represent my own mental and physically health struggle, I like to actively do things with my fashion to raise awareness and fight stigmas so somethings like the heart anxiety pin I like due to being able to display something I have instead of hiding away like I have in the past out of shame. However I pretty much agree with all your videos on your stance towards these products. I hate how anyone can just wear disabilities as a fashion accessory, and how horrid most of these products are. Unless it effects you and empowers you to wear something relating to your own struggle I don't understand why anyone would want to wear things saying depressions, bi polar etc its just a disgusting thing to do and unfortunately with the rise of that refinery29 video which has a lot of inaccuracies etc so many people are getting into yami and present a very offensive glorifying mental health sort of style because its currently whats cool. I'll never understand why people tend to pretend to be sick or wear jokes about real issues that affect people. I wish more people actually knew about menhera and how liberating it can be is you are passionate about expressing yourself through clothing and vent art for the cause of fighting against these harmful stigmas. If anyone is looking for information for menhera in English please check out FYmenhera on tumblr- they have worked hard for years providing info for people overseas before this current glorification fashion trend took hold and will answer questions and help.
so, i'm autistic and "spicy autism" is a joke within our community. the labels "high functioning" and "low functioning" are ableist and inaccurate but non-autistic people insist on using them for us, which is how jokes like "spicy autism" were born. like, if a nonautistic person asks what "kind" of autism we have, if we just aren't in the mood for that today, an autistic person might sarcastically reply "oh i have spicy autism". it's an example that's not the same as the others that you pointed out because it's an out-group punching up rather than an in-group punching down. the site you were using to look at shirts looked like zazzle, which allows you to put any kind of text on a shirt, and more than likely it has an autistic creator. please don't put it on the same level as the other apparel you mentioned.
I am glad that you included something about autism in your video. Please don’t forget about ADHD. That’s another one that is used the same way that people use OCD. If you actually have ADHD it can be pretty debilitating and difficult to have to deal with.
Vivien Koehler Thanks for commenting. There is a lot more to ADHD than just hyperactivity and inattentive behavior as well. There can be a lot of other co mobidities that most people don’t know about. Impulsiveness, tactile sensitivity, social issues, speech problems, fine motor issues, and so many more.
that's true, but we still have a lot of work to do, especially in the south. coming from north carolina getting mental health services w/o insurance there was like pulling teeth :/
I really appreciate her calling out the fact only some disorders are really addressed. I have anxiety, depression, ARFID and PTSD. The last of which definitely causes fear in people because anyone who has seen me break down knows it is worrisome and I have been hurt in an episode and it makes people worried I could lash out at them. It sucks. I have less trust in myself as my mental health gets crappier and it becomes a vicious cycle.
Redbubble doesn't control the stuff they make, yo, the users design the shirts and the site physically makes it and sells it on behalf of the user. Btw, not disagreeing with you about the trivializing of autism because as a teenager in high school lord knows I see it a lot, but the spicy austism thing I believe was created by actually autistic people to mock functioning labels. It's satirical, and it is genuinely funny if you know what it's referring to.
When she said she “loves her anxiety”, I think she means that she’s learned to not beat herself up for having it. Or maybe she grew more comfortable with it and stopped comparing her worth to others.
i love that you always try and start discussions with your viewers. people say you’re sensitive or whatever but you’re super open to what other people have to say so i don’t see where that comes from. seeing you advocate for mental health awareness is super inspiring and has seriously made me rethink my whole career path. psychology degree here i come.
bailey nichole 100000% agree. I think ppl who call Sarah sensitive maybe dont understand where Sarah's coming from. I admire Sarah's constant advocacy of mental health.
thank you so much that means the world to me! I truly am open to different opinions and perspectives, I only delete comments that aren’t respectful or are written for the sole purpose of being shocking. I just advocate for respect all around because I want people to respect what I have to say and it goes both ways. good luck on your degree! :)
I saw the anxiety queen shirt on my instagram a few days ago and I was just waiting for you to make a video about it. I agree with absolutely everything in this video. I hate seeing people make money off of other people's suffering
I would never wear a T-shirt saying “I want to die” for “fashion” because what happens when you walk past someone who’s attempted suicide or someone’s who’s lost a family member or friend who committed suicide. Also with those necklaces I could see what they were trying to do but they could have put other things on the necklace maybe related to depression and anxiety like “breathe” or “alone”, these are just some ideas which took me 5 seconds to think of so I’m sure if they put in a bit more effort they could come up with something respectful but also raising awareness and normalising mental health disorders, they were just a lazy attempt at doing these things.
Exactly. Instead of romanticizing a serious and life-altering disease, think about how you could spread awareness or remind them of how it gets better.
I made a pin that says "I'm autistic. I may not respond" I put this on when I shut down and can't physically talk. I did wear it for a full day and didn't like that so I only put it on when I can't talk that way I can tell people that I can't talk (because of my autism) by pointing to the pin. I made the line sound light hearted instead of being too serious because if I'm going to wear anything I don't want people to pity me. I just want people to know that I can't speak without using words (writing or verbal) all I have to do is point.
people always say "i'm soooo anxious, omg my anxiety" and it makes me feel alone because they're talking about a trivial thing, when i feel it all the time i told someone how i went to the emergency room during an anxiety attack, and they just go "oh"
I paused to leave this comment so forgive me if you touch on this in the video but I think the reason why we don't have merch for mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is because those are exclusive to mental illnesses. Like someone can feel anxious or depressed without having clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.
I don’t think everyone feels ANXIETY. Anxiety and worry are two different things. Worry is what the majority of people feel. Anxiety is much more than that, so before you make a blanket statement like that, please do your research.
Hailey wow, anyone can feel anxious without having an anxiety disorder. I have an anxiety disorder. I'm also aware that people feel anxious sometimes. I know about my own disorder but thanks for assuming I don't. ✌
babeofoz I think what she means is that yes, people feel anxious, but they don't have anxiety. Most mental illness merch has the word "anxiety" not "anxious", so it can't really be for everyone. Does that make sense?
Done whichu i agree with you, as i know people throw the terms “my anxiety” and “my depression” around to describe them being stressed or sad. I know people are able to feel anxious and depressed but it’s different from actually having anxiety and depression, as I suffer from both of these disorders.
Semi Automatic 1. No one told you to do your research. 2. No one told you you don't know you'd disorder. I have an anxiety disorder as well, okay? So be chill. Anxiety and feeling anxious are two separate things is what I'm saying. You can feel anxious without having anxiety.
I love that you make these videos. These videos are actually part of a research paper i am writing on whether or not the fashion industry is making mental illness trendy or if they are trying to spread awareness. I am like you and I see it as a trend/ quick way to make money than anything else. I am so glad that you put the more grey-area pieces in.. they make you think a bit more. Anyways, thank you for continuing to spread awareness on a topic not discussed enough! xoxo
i have a shirt that says “borderline and beautiful” that come from one of the websites you shared, red bubble. that shirt is a reminder for me that i am more than my bpd, and i feel less self-conscious flaunting that than a shirt that says “bpd babe” ( which is another real shirt i’ve seen on red bubble ... smh ). someone even said they liked my shirt, which gave me the impression that they connected with it. the context really matters; there is a difference in glamorizing mental illness & empowering it. btw i’m agreeing with you.
Okay but consider A shirt that says "Don't romanticize mental illness, romanticize me because I'm sexy" Just thin about it It'll be sending an important message and not gonna lie it'll be pretty funny at the same time
I'm only at 4:25 in the video but I had to stop and say no you aren't hurting the company by "exposing" them. They sell this stuff for money so they're obviously not trying to hide it. If they get upset by you naming names, they shouldn't be selling these things in the first place. Thanks for making these videos. They've made me more aware of what I say and do around mental illness. Thank you
honestly my favorite part about this video is that you know when you’re not an expert. you often say “i’ve never experienced this so i cant say,” etc. it’s great to see that you know your limits and listened to people suffering with disorders you may not have to better understand 💗
What I would love would be a patch or tshirt with something like "I am stronger than my illness" on it, now THAT would be cool because ARE stronger than our illness'.
SARRAAAHH!! I really want you to release your own merch that says stop stigmatizing mental illness or something like that! be the good u wanna see in the world mamas! love u 💖💖
Thank you for addressing these issues! Someone joking about a mental illness to cope is completely different then using it as irrelevant humor for money.
A pin with the word "anxiety" in order to raise awarness has the same effect of a pin with the word "ictus" or "pacemaker". It's ok to raise awarness. This is just another way to romanticize something to the point where it's just another cute accessory that anyone can claim they have in order to be "special"
19:27 I have high functioning autism. I have been bullied my whole life, everone thought I was weird. Now I hide, it but then they say in a lier because I don't look like the people in my special ed, who have Autism as well.
Autism doesn’t have a ‘look’. And it would be foolish to believe that it does. Many uneducated people tell high functioning autistic people that “you don’t look autistic?” Or “You don’t seem autistic!” Which can be taken as an insult. People with high functioning autism usually have a harder time getting a diagnosis because they have learned how to mask it and have higher social skills than someone on the other side of the spectrum. (I should know, I have Asperger syndrome.)
my mom always talks about how she's "ocd" and then complains about gen z kids faking mental illnesses lmao,, i tried to educate her but she ignored me; ok
I really appreciate the video a lot. Yami Kawaii to me though, is something to bring more awareness to mental illness. It shows that people can be cute, bubbly, etc but theres still something to talk about and that we shouldn't ignore it. As someone with anorexia and psychotic depression its something that means a lot to me. Ive met a whole bunch of close friends from it and it makes me very thankful. I'm usually against mental illness type merch but Yami Kawaii brought me such an amazing support group and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Love these kinds of videos, they're really interesting. My uncle has schizophrenia and he's on a mental hospital. It's not cute, it's not "fashionable", it's awful.
I have schizophrenia and this video really hits home with me. Everywhere I go, I try to break the stigma of my illness, by talking about it. Even with new people that I meet. Often times, when I explain what schizophrenia is like for me, people understand and ask questions, which is a great way to spread awareness. I do of course also meet people who get a bit scared, because schizophrenia is percieved to be dangerous. Despite this I keep trying to spread awareness, and hopefully, one day, it won't be so scary to declare that you have schizophrenia. Love you Sarah. Thank you for the video.
so I have watched a lot of your videos, and a couple things: 1. you have SUCH a soothing voice. 2. I've always thought you looked like Corinne from threadbanger and I love it.
I don't mind the necklaces or the pin. I'm mentally ill and I love menhera. It's a way of saying "i'm not ashamed of myself. I'm not broken. I am mentally ill and I am proud."
In my high school, schizophrenia is extremely romanticized and it’s absolutely awful. Kids just say that they have it to sound “different” or “cool”... I don’t see how having schizophrenia is cool at all... it’s a horrible illness to experience. I personally don’t have it, but my father is a psychiatrist. He comes home stressed out every day because of how bad some of his schizophrenic patients are... it just makes me so angry when my peers just say that they have schizophrenia so casually.
i mean, i get the thing with the first shirt (anxiety queen) she probably had fought a lot with it, and now that she feels stronger than the illness, and that's great! and it's fine to make a shirt about it and then you explain it to ppl that's fine, but make it merch? idk, i imagine 12 yo wearing that, feeling edgy bc they are anxiety queens, it's just nope. but maaaybe, she was trying to help other ppl with the same illness to fight it and trying to make them feel like their illness is not superior and that it doesn't have power over them. Also, wtf with the necklesses? if they're so into illnesses, then why not "poliomyelitis" or "lupus" or "acute myocardial infarction" of course they won't do that, that would be stupid.
Exactly I would be better for her to explain mental illness in other ways and raise money from that other ways as a person with anxiety I would never wear this type of merchandise I will prefer too put money in other type of awareness community's
Anxiety is NOT funny. Depression is NOT funny. OCD is NOT funny. PTSD is NOT funny. Autism is NOT funny. Nothing about it is funny. I have all of them and they have never made me laugh or smile. The opposite actually. Anxiety makes it hard to breath when I'm around people, it makes it hard to sleep. I have panic attacks that feel like I'm dying and I peel away my skin with my nails. I skipped my friends birthday party today because I was too afraid to go. Depression is not fun either, it's hard to motivate me. Food doesn't taste good, I barely eat. OCD does make me obsess over germs and neatness, but that's not true for everyone with OCD. And I absolutely hate it when people make fun of it. Sometimes it's so bad I feel like I want to die, I can't touch anything outside of my room and I wash my hands so much they start bleeding. They are always cracked and scabbed. I also peel away my skin because of it. PTSD is horrible, because horrible things have happened to me, and when I get flashbacks I start peeling my skin during the panic attack. And Autism makes it even harder to make friends since I don't "Act normal" and when people find out I have it they treat me differently, like I'm a little kid. Autism doesn't make me stupid, I have a very high IQ. Peeling away my skin is my coping mechanism when feeling panicked so I have scars all over my arms, legs, and stomach. When people see them they don't think it's pretty, they think it's gross and scary. Because that's what it is. So people need to stop making fun of them because they are NOT jokes.
Annabeth Chase I don't think you have OCD because it's not just oh germs neatness it's complusions it's way hard and it's a anxiety disorder and it sound like you three anxiety (sound like soical), ptsd which is formed from a serious serious type of panic disorder and ocd which it sounds like you just have a personality disorder with that because the chance of you have three anxiety illnesses you whouldnt be able to function in a normal life literally (school, friend, family, just you whouldnt) the anxiety whould literally overcome you.
Nikkie Whetstone yes, I go to a psychiatrist to help figure out which medications I should take and where I should go for other treatment, i also talk to her about my anxiety and depression. I go to a therapist for my OCD and I am also on anti-psychotics for my OCD and anxiety.
Nikkie Whetstone I have been diagnosed with all of my mental illnesses by multiple professionals telling me the same things. I can't function very well in school or in public, my grades are terrible, I don't talk to anyone, I have no friends, everyone thinks I'm weird and hates me, I only go a half day at school (I was homeschooled before but my therapist made me go back), and I never go outside other than going to school.
As someone who has suffered for years with aniexty I don't think merchandise is going to make it easier to talk about or even get help. We do need to talk about mental health more but there is a better way to do so. Love these videos!
I was not expecting the last one. I have Aspergers, a form of autism. I can be self deprecating at home, because I am with my family and I know people are not going to be mean about it. But people do not seem to understand that with autism I can’t do things on my own that everyone else can do, and things can be hard at times as things are hard to process. I won’t be ashamed of being on the autistic spectrum however. It is the way I am. And I feel I can make my UA-cam videos because of the way that I see things differently to others. But I wouldn’t wear a shirt like that. I hope my comment makes sense, as I can waffle on at times 🙂.
here comes fresh fire I know what you mean. It’s bad enough that it is not taken seriously by others who think that it is nothing, and that there is not a lot of help for people. I saw something on the news once on changes wanting to be made on diagnosis and I had to make a video on it because it made me mad what they were saying.
Sophie Mog Then they're not your real friends. Find people who will really accept you and be open about it! You've always been the same way. "Autism" is just a word for the way you personally do things. People understand you more when you tell them you have it as it explains why you do certain things.
Yeah, I've got autism as well and I also think that shirt's kind of weird. I don't know how I'd feel about someone without autism wearing it. What even is the joke? Like, "Hey, I am _very_ autistic!" -I get making fun of or playing around with the aspects of a disorder- THAT DID NOT make much sense when I reread it... I mean like, it's one thing to joke about the aspects of a disorder to be relatable towards people who have the disorder. In the case of this shirt, it's hard to figure out what the joke is and it comes off, at least to me, as just autism is just a joke. I'd only wear it to make my family mad. I can _maybe_ see someone with autism wearing it as an empowering thing. I don't see it working anywhere else much.
i have anxiety and i think i would buy the pin because it would make me feel better about having anxiety, it IS cute but i would also buy it because anxiety is apart of me and i think it would just make me feel better about having anxiety, idk.
That one with the memes ironic depression chronic, and the mental illness is not a joke tshirts are I believe are on Red bubble. And that is a site with seperate artists to sell their own things, the site doesn't often take down their shirts and the artists creating them are not okay. But the site isn't the issue... The autism one. Wow. As an autistic person that is just wow. Yami Kawaii is also used for metal and physical illness and I have a friend who is both physically disabled and mentally ill who wears this fashion and what you said in the beginning is sorta true, she wears it because it is the only way she can express her emotion about it without being hurt by people for speaking on it. The anti social social club is one I have never liked either and do not understand, and now with their "spring line" that sucks. Thank you for doing these videos I have always liked them!
Kei Hill I never liked anti social social club either. I'm also 100% sure that They mean Asocial, not anti social because anti social is a personality disorder that often accompanies psychotic characteristics and I'm pretty sure that they mean a person who avoids being social.(which would be asocial)
hey sarah! i am a senior in high school and i just wanted to comment and say that your videos have definitely helped me choose to major in psychology in college. i love how informative your videos are! thanks for everything you do!
You should do a video on people who use the word antisocial to describe themselves and what it really means! It bothers me when people are like "omg yeah i'm antisocial" when they really mean they're asocial/introverted.
Olivia Frances I'm antisocial, but I don't have a disorder. Like she said in the video, sometimes these words are just descriptions. I can feel depression without being clinically depressed, and I can feel anxiety when I don't have an anxiety disorder. I can be antisocial without having it hinder my everyday life, meaning it's not a disorder. In other words, the very definition is in the word. Against socialization.
Olivia Frances it gets a bit wishy washy when you're defining these things. No, being awkward may not mean antisocial, but your awkwardness may lead you to not like socialization and be against it. Once you put "disorder" at the end of it, that becomes a whole different ball game because it has to reach an extent that effects how you live everyday. It's different with bipolar disorder because it's not really a feeling or characteristic, rather. Antisocial can be a characteristic, in the same way depression and anxiety are emotions. I don't find it malicious if someone were to describe themselves as antisocial, or even damaging, because of the derivative of the actual word.
Antisocial personality disorder is what pop culture labels as psychopaths/sociopaths. Any sort of socializing disorder could be avoidant personality disorder/a phobia.
I mean, if you think of the concept of love as like, applying empathy and radical acceptance to yourself in times of struggle, maybe? I'd never use that wording though.
As someone who suffers from BPD it means a lot to me that you bring it up a few times in this video, as most people either don't know what it is or misunderstand it. 💛
I've struggled with my mental illnesses for a few years now and seeing my peers (I'm a teenager at college) wearing this type of merchandise and joking about mental illnesses about it being a choice someone made shows that the mech did nothing good. I do have a shirt that can be considered 'mental illness merch' but in my opinion the design acts as a kind of warning as at the top it says 'be careful'. I interpret it as 'be careful about how you treat and talk about people with mental illness', as negative treatment can, and in most cases will, worsen the person/people's situation or state. The Japanese movement of yami kawaii is a positive step in my opinion because, as you said, they can't talk about their illnesses as we can. So instead of speaking about it, the merch reminds people that mental illness is present in their society. I think it works as an 'I can't say it, so I'll show it' or 'this is something you cannot ignore' type of thing that will create dialogue. However, such a movement in other countries will likely work to the detriment of people with mental illness as most countries, while having stigmas, are open about such illnesses. Thank you for making mental illness related content, it has no doubt helped others and myself with our illnesses and taught many others about mental illnesses. Your content creates dialogue and educates people about something they otherwise wouldn't know or hear about.
I am a subscriber and have been a fan of these videos showcasing some of the awfully thought out merch. However, I had a feeling the Anxiety Queen merch was going to be called out and personally I think it’s uncalled for. Everyone involved and everyone buying the shirts are making light of their mental illness. Yes, it’s part of generational dark humor, but wearing the things you don’t necessarily enjoy about yourself is a way to not let them define you. Kelsey’s fans are extremely respectful and many many people were excited about the release because it allowed her to speak about and contribute to a great cause. When it comes to mental illnesses, you don’t get to tell anyone how to feel.
yes!!! I watch kelsey and kate's podcast and it ENTIRELY HELPS DE-STIGMATIZE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION and many other issues that people (especially women) face. the proceeds go straight to a good cause and the shirt is not making a joke about anxiety. To me it says "I have anxiety and I am still a queen". kelsey can't control who buys and wears the shirts, but they control where the money goes from it and I think that's more important than what some teenager who thinks anxiety is cute is wearing. I get tired of people saying they have anxiety when they don't, but that doesn't mean you need to bash someone that is trying her hardest to make it known what she goes through and be a spokesperson for anxiety. I would hope that next time you look further into what the actual situation is before assuming things about people. you yourself said you don't know who she is and made assumptions
I think she was really respectful in the call out. She mentioned that the shirt had good intentions behind it but that she personally isn't a fan. I'm not really a fan either because, as someone with an anxiety disorder who was socialized female, women are often accused of being highly emotional and the shirt isn't specific. It doesn't say "full of anxiety and still a queen," it says "anxiety queen" which can be taken as meaning "overly emotional woman" or "I worry because of my gender." If it were specific, I'd be more okay with it, but it's too vague. It doesn't destigmatize anything and only has meaning if you're already in the know.
man, you're super genuine; its really refreshing. i really appreciate creators like you using and creating a platform based on the societal conversations we are having surrounding mental health. great vid :~)
I wear pins like the pink anxiety one. The reason I wear them is I have severe social anxiety that can come out in the form of some really obvious physical ticks and not being able to speak at the time. I like having something I can point to that explains what is going on when/if strangers approach me trying to be helpful/nosey. For that i prefer pins like the pink one because it blends in with my other pins on my bag well enough to were I feel like it doesn't draw attention until I need it. I always try to purchase them from independent artist that donate proceeds and seem to have good intentions.
About the autism shirt, that's a bit of a wild one for me because I am autistic and I personally own a shirt that says Autistic on it with an anarchy A because I think it's funny and kind of cute, but the extra spicy autism one rubs me the wrong way. I get that it's like a joke on mild autism and stuff (which thank you for joking about functioning labels they're stupid and don't make sense please make fun of them) but it just feels like something that those people who call things they don't like "autistic" as an insult would wear, rather than something a real autistic person would ever purchase
With the kelsey darragh one, if you even know her a little it's more understandable. She means she's a queen despite and with her anxiety. And by saying she loves it she doesn't love it really. She jas just accepted that it's a part of her and she loves every part of herself, even her flaws, like her anxiety.
This just makes me so frustrated.....these items just add to the stigma and undermine the seriousness of mental illness. I know that a lot of these people don’t mean any harm, but some are just really insensitive... I’m so glad your bringing awareness to this!! 💕💕💕
Sometimes i just dont get how some people can love stuff like "anxiety queen" after fighting against anxiety for years. I had an anxiety disorder since very young and its one of the worst thing happening to me, and i couldnt wear something that claims it. Idk why, i just dont feel like it.
I am so happy I found you’re channel, anxiety sucks but my friends and family are a huge help and I hope whoever else is going through depression and anxiety have people to pull them out of that dark cloud. I personally dislike merchandise that involves mental illness but I understand that people use humour to lighten up the mood but to wear something in public in front of people that will deal with that stuff or even people that aren’t aware of the illnesses might think that an illness such as depression for example should be popularised. I’m happy reading the comments knowing that people understand the situation and can differ between the right and the wrong. :))
I've seen the necklaces so thanks for talking about them and the other merch items. Of course they pick the two most talked about mental illnesses and yeah, I agree, there's going to be people buying this just to support the people making them and it seems to disregard the mental anguish that people with disorders go through especially because depression and anxiety are commonly thrown around. And the fact that it glamorizes the illness. Idk I love that they're giving the proceeds to charities but everything else is just not quite right. And with anti social social club i like the brand logo and everything but schizophrenia on a shirt? I just can't
As someone who’s grown up with three members of my family being on the autism spectrum , I will never be able to wrap my head around the fact that clothing companies still produce clothing that makes fun of autism. I’m sorry but it’s not a fashion statement and any clothing company that thinks it is, in my opinion, should just stop making the clothing that has any mental illness on it altogether.
A note on the yami kawaii. Personally, I really love menhera chan and the yami kawaii line. Why? Well, as a person struggling with mental health, I liked the representation. I liked seeing a character that had scars. Looking at it made me feel not alone and I actually have been able to curb the urges of self harm by reading the works and self reflecting. I am not too sure why, though tbh
I love how in each video you gradually discuss the merch more, you barely discussed it in the first video and definitely discussed it more in the second, and in this video I can see you pouring your heart out and it’s amazing to see
I actually kind of like Yami Kawaii, and in Japan it's one of the only ways many mentally ill feel they can express themself freely. It's also an interesting way to raise awareness. HOWEVER these other clothing items are disgusting. Honestly what is so glamorous about mental illness? I myself suffer from Anxiety (a few forms actually), Depression and OCD and if I was given a chance to live without them, I would IN A HEARTBEAT accept. It sickens me to see that people think this is okay...it's not cute. I'm in no way ashamed to be mentally ill, I've had mental illness since I was quite young (diagnosed with Selective Mutism at 4) but I don't want to wear it on a fucking t-shirt. EspecialLY OCD OMFG. When Target came out with that Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater I was fucking heATED.
I just know that i personally do use humor to cope with my struggles with mental illness. I do have bipolar disorder and the “periodically crazy” shirt did make me laugh a little just because it is relatable for me. And I have a friend who struggles with severe depression and she loves memes, so she would love the “ironic-chronic” shirt because of that. So in our case, we’re making jokes about our personal experiences, which i think is fine. But, selling merchandise causes issues because not everyone has the right intensions when it comes to perchasing these items. I hate the idea of someone who does not have bipolar disorder, and likely knows nothing about what it’s really like to deal with it, owning that shirt. Because they don’t know what it really is like to have this disorder. It’s all about intension, and sadly most people’s intensions won’t align with what we believe is right.
And another thing, while I joke about my mental illness and my personal experiences with it, I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I don’t want to let my disorder define me, I don’t want to, essentially, be like “Hi, I’m Sierra, I have bipolar disorder and my favorite color is pink.” I don’t want it to have that sort of power or control, so I wouldn’t want to have a shirt labeling me as “depressed”, “anxious” or “bipolar”, simply because I want to be known and know myself as more than my mood disorder.
For the anxiety queen shirt caption, I think that by what she meant when she said she loves her anxiety was that she loves it because it’s part of her personality and that without her anxiety she wouldn’t be herself. I think she’s saying she loves every part of herself. But I don’t know for sure but that’s how I think she meant it.
It’s so bizarre. They could have created merch that looked normal and not flaunting mental illnesses while still donating the proceeds to a good cause. Like, instead of necklaces that say “depression” why not a heart or a butterfly or just... anything else. I deal with mental illnesses and would never want to wear them proudly on my body. And I know it’s been said a hundred times but seriously, what anxious person would wear something that tells people “Look at me I have anxiety!”. It would be a nightmare
I want to apologize for including an example of autism merch at the end of this mental illness merch video. I of course understand autism is not a mental illness, it is a developmental disorder, but it is still made light of often. thank you to those of you so far that have shared your thoughts and feelings about the item of clothing and your experience with autism! thank you to everyone for being so open ❤️
if you need any first hand accounts for videos about autism in the future, DM me on instagram and i'll answer any of your questions.
faeriesmak I agree.
where the fuck is lay? I've seen a few comments on this already, bit I would /love/ if you would do a video on ADHD or other developmental disorders. I'm not particularly sensitive about it being made fun of, usually, but knowing my own parents don'treally take it seriously at all aside from just giving me the meds like I want, shows me that nothing will change about how it's seen by others unless it becomes a more discussed topic or something.
Sarah Hawkinson personally I don't mind when people call it a mental illness rather than a neurological or developmental disorder, obviously I don't speak for the whole autism community though. I think this because autism in my experience does affect my daily life and my emotions a lot, and for many people is often linked to anxiety, depression and sometimes mood disorders.
I think many people still take issue with it being called a mental illness is because firstly, it isn't quite right technically, and also because of the negative relationship autism and mental health issues have had with society in the past. There is still such a stigma about mental illness and also autism that people are afraid of the labelling that they will get if people think " oh autism=mental illness=crazy/dangerous." Of course none of that is true, but there are some intolerant people out there who think just that
+Sarah Hawkinson
I'm assuming that those last few examples were sold on Red Bubble (I recognise the models). Unfortunately since the products on RB are designed by independent artists there's no real monitoring of what shirts are sold. That's why you see a mish-mash of products displaying jokes about mental illness and shirts that oppose it. Designs are usually only taken down if they promote "hate speech", but sadly RB doesn't usually see making fun of illness as hateful enough to be of any concern.
People confuse anxiety with feeling anxious. There’s a difference between a feeling and a mental illness.
I think this is a really important distinction to make
Exactly.
People do the same with depression, like they say "I'm so depressed" when they just want to say they're sad, I have depression and i can say that they're two very different things
same thing happens with depression
Valeria Azzali
Depressed isn't the same as depression.
“ I would rather be called overly defensive than defend a shirt that says schizophrenia on it” bless you
I would be worried about someone wearing that shirt in public. The police might take one look at that, tackle, handcuff, and drive the person to the hospital.
When it comes to mental health crisis or if a cop suspects it they basically arrest you and treat you like a common criminal.
@@janellephoenix4378 never mind the idea that this isn’t how the cops work, if we’re in a society where mental illness on your sleeve is seen as a criminal, shouldn’t MORE people be standing up and saying something? You’re not being unsafe by wearing mental illness paraphernalia; cops can only arrest under suicidal attempt, danger to community/themselves(not appearance related), or parental concern (and even the later has exceptions where they can’t be hospitalized). Please educate yourself before discouraging people rising to the cause.
@@yvettkind1722 Excuse me?
Have you been harassed by cops for being in an unstable state? Have any of them threatened to brake your neck if you ran away? Or try to shoot you?
Have you ever had the experience of being locked up in a dark room with a mat on the floor for days because you attempted suicide?
I’ve had those experiences.
I love how people like to talk about experiences they haven’t personally dealt with.
Wearing a mental illness shirt might not get me arrested but because of my experiences with mental health and the police I’m a little paranoid about doing anything that could cause them to come get me again.
@@janellephoenix4378 @Megan Grant I've never known the cops to threaten shooting or physical abuse with a mental health victim - though I have heard of ballsy restraints that aren't allow. I have been through several cop calls, in patients, as well as a residential treatment center out of state. It gets super rough and I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I have heard of restraining running victims. I have heard of negative harassment and have received such. This is enough information for a full on lawsuit - threatening a gun isn't mandatory at all. May I ask what state you're in? I want to look more into this and spike a change - this behavior isn't only disgraceful, but it's terrifying and extremely dangerous for all involved. In New York, solitary confinement isn't legal unless direct supervision in licensed "therapy" rooms(which aren't more than a concrete painted box)- so I imagine our laws are a lot more lax. I have known people to stay over 24 hours in here because of behavior and it's terrifying. I'm sorry to hear what you've been through.
@@yvettkind1722 Thanks for your support! We really do need more people fighting for people’s mental health. That’s really awesome that you are wanting to help.
I lived in Virginia that’s where all of my encounters took place and where I was hospitalized (under those circumstances).
I have recently moved away from Virginia because there weren’t that many jobs or good programs/resources for mental illnesses. I pretty much was fed up by all the crap I went through there. I wasn’t getting much help while in Virginia.
I’m now in a better location where there are a whole lot more options. And I hope I can finally get some actual help for my trauma issues and mental illnesses.
It would be nice to get my life on track for once. 😊
instead of the necklaces saying “anxiety” or “depression” wouldn’t a better message to say be like “hope” or “strength”
edit: wow thank u for all the likes I’ve never had this many 💗💗
I was about to say something similar. I feel like its close to wearing a label, it's just uncomfortable.
perfect response
Yeah... People make fun of those kind of thing sometimes and I'm like :/
Exactly, it isn’t empowering and people need to stop excusing these things by saying that the money raised will be donated to charities. Those necklaces are ugly and make me feel awful. Why would u wear depression around ur neck :(
Very good said
I used to have really severe anxiety, to the point I couldn't leave the house, why would you love that? thats so fcuked up. There is a difference between accepting it's apart of you, and "loving it"
Alex Dawson right? It makes me think they’re faking it. If I were given the choice not to have depression and ocd I would absolutely take it without hesitation.
At one point I couldn't even leave my room because of anxiety
Exactly.
Yes 100% anxiety isn’t something you should learn to accept like your appearance it’s something you learn to come out of, people are better than this!
im dealing with that now:/ I just want to feel good and not like something bad is going to happen 24/7
People accept depression and anxiety in anyone until they start showing actual symptoms of it
Yep, you just summed it up
This is so true. Like when I told people that I have those issues they were like "fine", but then I unfortunately had a panic attack in public. Suddenly not fine anymore, because those attacks don't look cute or funny at all
Mister Crowley I'm so sorry that you deal with those things. I hope you're doing better.
Very trueee, my ex told me that it's okay and he will help me lol turns out I'm just acting as if I was a child in his eyes and that it's my fault that I'm not being able to talk while having a mental break down. 😂 Like yea, totally boy
Kookscorn deadass😔
anxiety and depression has been so exploited that when i tell people i’m clinically depressed they say «same»
Who the fuck is beebo? Buh same I feel like I could never tell my friends that I have clinical depression or anxiety because they would respond the exact same way. Depression and anxiety aren't even illnesses anymore, they are "moods" or "relatable"
Who the fuck is beebo? me too 😭😭
panic! at the disco hehe
or maybe they also have it? I know me and my friends were all diagnosed with depression/anxiety and either taking meds or going to therapy.
Well they may have it, they are very common disorders so its possible they have it
As someone who has ptsd from past abusive relationships, the shirt that said “Pretty Talented Sometimes Demented” really upset me. People with ptsd are not demented, it’s not their fault that bad shit happened to them.
Your Local Ryebread that’s really shitty, I’m so sorry. 💖
God that's disgusting
Bitch, wtf?!
I'm sorry but TF?!
That is just so wrong...
The people who instilled PTSD onto them are the demented ones. It almost sounds like they're blaming the victim.
I have OCD, and I cannot tell you how annoying the “Obsessive Coffee Disorder” type shirts are to me.
Lily I don’t have ocd but it disappoints me when people say “I have ocd my room is usually neat and everything I have is organized” do they think they’re cool? Like maybe research before you speak or stfu.
same 😔
Avacado * periodt
Obsessive Christmas Decorator. I see those in my town all the time and my aunt got one. Knowing that I have ocd. I hate her sm
My sister has OCD. It takes over her life. It makes me so angry to see people making fun of it, and self diagnosing. Mental illness isn’t funny at all. People really have to understand that.
The irony is that anyone who actually has anxiety would never wear anxiety merch..... because it would give them anxiety!!!
Not necessarily, I have diagnosed and medicated anxiety and depression and kind of glitter covering it helps for me, I want to try be honest with myself and to a degree embrace my mental illnesses so I can hopefully keep them in check and be able to seek help for them, which due to anxiety mainly I very much struggle with booking appointments, seeking help, doing positive things as I tend to run from them. So for me having a "cute" or aesthetic reminder can help me face my problems and do what I need to do. But everyone does suffer in different ways.
If I walked around with an anxiety shirt in public I'd have a panic attack
i have to disagree, i have diagnosed SAD and idk, something about wearing a pretty anxiety pin or something is...comforting? like, yeah i have this, it sucks, i cant do anything about it, why not embrace it in a way thats also cute.
Yeah I got anxiety just from looking at it. I’m terrified of judgment because I was bullied and traumatized in my past. I have social anxiety though, so I have a hard time working or going outside in general.
It's only the tumblr r/notlikeothergirls "quirky" girls who wear them
I'd love to ask these brands to create merch for physical illnesses like cancer and AIDS.
I mean, why wouldn't they agree? Not "edgy" enough?
Your Nemesis I agree. I feel the pick anxiety and depression because the common and have become 'trendy' and 'edgy' and clearly romanticised. You would never see physical illnesses, learning difficulties like dyslexia being use
Vintage Nemo i remember back when i was in elementary school it was really popular to wear those 'i love boobies' wristbands for breast cancer. never liked that trend. breast cancer awareness shouldn't hinge on some ones sexualisation of breasts, which i get might not have been the intention, but it def looked like it.
@@mynameswhatsername6952 OH MY GOD not enough people talk about that. Let's not forget that many women with breast cancer are older! If you sexualise breast cancer awareness, you're ignoring a large portion of the potential victims who aren't 'conventionally attractive and young' anymore.
And of course it's insulting and minimising to the people who suffer breast cancer.
I'm sure there's merch for that already, people on the internet say things like "this gave me cancer" or "you're full of aids" as insults all the time
uhm... I don't know if that's an European thing but we have the "red bow" for AIDS awareness. It's not something one wears everyday, more around awareness events and such. I knew what it meant from a young age because we had comprehensive sex ed in elementary school. Not quite merch because it's handed out for free. But, like, it exists.
the things that have “anxiety” and “depression” on them in cute and aesthetic lettering is kinda offending bc they are almost fethishizing those mental illnesses and yes they are the most common but they are also HELL to live with everyday. using them as an aesthetic is so upsetting to see and i wish it didn’t happen.
Totally agree
It's_Maddo first one I don’t need care about and I have anxiety disorder too what do you think of it
couldnt agree more. also don't understand the whole "I love my anxiety" thing. I personally hate my anxiety
It's_Maddo Glamorizing depression is so dumb, nothing is romantic or beautiful about not showering or brushing your teeth or brushing your hair bc you're too depressed
Not sure if you'll see this, but along with yami kawaii, there is a style called "men hera" in Japan, which is short for "mental healther." I think the idea is similar to yami kawaii where people will wear their mental illness on the outside to bring awareness. If you plan to make a video on yami kawaii, checking out men hera may also help!
CeilM 39 this is an old comment but menhera is pretty different because it's more of a medical/hospital aesthetic (nurses, red crosses, syringes, surgical masks) than the more mental health related aspects of yami kawaii (nooses & such)
I don't have anxiety, I'm just a generally anxious person. Being anxious doesn't immediately mean you have anxiety, DON'T SELF DIAGNOSE!!
Yes omg me too
i have my papers
민재Minjae
ok so this isn’t towards u darling
Yessir ✊✊
Yes, exactly!
People say that anxiety is the most romanticised mental illness but people are forgetting psychopathology and sociopathology (aka aspd)
yeah people pretend they’re “crazy” which is rude and disrespectful like wtf that’s not okay aspd isn’t fun it really fucks with your brain and your actions
k ikr
“Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate and ruthlessly plot their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations and empty wallets” - Without conscience, written by Robert D. Hare.
In other words, a psychopath is definitely not what some people identify it as. Meaning that any person pretending that they’re ‘Crazy’ or a ‘Psycho’ are usually very incorrect and not educated about psychopathy at all. Psychopathy is a personality disorder defined by a distinctive cluster of behaviours and inferred personality traits.
Candywizard63 exactlu
I had a friend that used to post things like "im such a psycho omg haha" or those tiktoks "psychopath checkkk" like. The stupidity is strong
there should definitely be cute things to spread awareness but things that say like “fight the stigma” or “depression survivor” instead of cutesy things
Michelle no one survives depression. It’s like addiction, it’s always there.
CheerupButtercup well that’s not helpful. we should promote recovery.
Bella Krueger
it’s unrealistic for people to think that one day they’ll just be fixed. They should continuously work on themselves in order to get better.
And It’s especially bad for others to think of depression that way because they have to understand there are good days and bad days. And some days are just bad for no reason, and that’s ok.
Bella Krueger www.healthline.com/health/can-you-cure-depression#
Yo, thank you for continuing to make these videos despite the backlash. Bless, thank you for the discussion.
of course ❤️ all day every day!
Quacknood! Blessing my yt once again
Pink Haired Chick Yeeeeeeesssssss that would be an awesome video!
I second a collab whenever possible. Love you both.
Omggggg two of my fave UA-camrs collide!!
I have OCD because I have very obsessive thoughts. I was diagnosed at 18. It’s so frustrating when someone says “I’m so ocd” casually as they organize something. Just no. My thoughts are so pressing they keep me awake for days at a time. I get up about every 20 minutes to make sure my are locked. I talk myself in circles in conversations, repeating myself repeatedly, because I can’t get the thought out of my head. I repeatedly brush my hair to the point where it’s thinning. I drink so much water a day that my pee is clear and i pee about every ten to twenty minutes. If my pee is anything but clear, I’m terrified I’m dehydrated. If I can’t brush my teeth directly after I eat I start to panic. OCD is not just liking things clean and tidy. It’s obsessing over ‘trivial’ things to the point of extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I don’t know why anyone would want to label themselves with this hell.
My OCD is very similar, but I've found that recording myself on my phone has helped me a lot when trying to sleep, I record myself locking my door etc and instead of getting up to check, I check my phone. Idk if that can help you but it has really helped me out a lot, it's a bit like a security net for me.
Iv recently got diagnosed with OCD, though my OCD is more to do with cleanliness and contamination it still makes life hard, however I have a friend who seems convinced she has OCD because she likes things tidy and will regally say 'ugh I'm being so OCD today' or 'my OCD is playing up again' and iv told her multiple times that that's not what OCD means but she refuses to believe it, gets kind of ironic when shes sitting there making a comment like that as she watches me sterilise my desk so I can put my bag down...
My ocd is exactly the same, I hate when people joke about it when I’m around because they have no idea what we actually go through on a daily basis
You included red bubble merchandise at the end. Red Bubble doesn’t create the merchandise, people upload images and can create it into anything, red bubble just creates it and sends it to people, they have no say in what is uploaded and made into clothing on the website.
Sure they do. They can refuse to sell things they deem inappropriate.
@@bdhesse fair point, but with the hundreds and thousands of things uploaded daily, it could be hard to filter.
certain shirts like the depression joke shirt probably don't go against any site guidelines either, so they might not see a reason to take it down. idk.
Starts at 5:00 for anyone who is in a pinch for time!
Love you thanks
@@boots484 I love you sexy
in Japan, there is mental illness merch too, called 病みかわいい (Sickly cute.) Which often involves bandages on arms, medical theme, and taglines on it like "I want to die", or "Kill me".
However, in Japan this is seen as a positive thing, due to the stigma of mental illness. Its like putting a spotlight on it by using the difference of dark themes and pastel cute colours.
I'm not sure if the difference between cultures is what makes it so wrong here, or because Americans get offended more easily (you have a more expressive country), but. I do not see a problem with it, as I have suffered with depression and social anxiety badly since I was a child and anything or it to become less stigmatized and more normal is a good thing for me. I know, countries like America speak of mental illness more but surely there are still misconceptions. I don't know, it's just my opinion, but I see it as a good thing.
This video explains better than I could: ua-cam.com/video/1Wsk3Oa_3F8/v-deo.html
It might be because some people can't tell if it's just for fashion or if it's truly for a cause. (I think of it as both, where the cute part of it is fashion and the sick part of it being for a cause)
I have depression and anxiety. When I saw a video about this style it got me into the style. I also get why they dress like that. I live in Sweden and I have never seen anyone dress in this style. Japans mental illness merch shows it much better, with dark colors and such. I think the merch in this video didn't represent mental illness in a good way. I mean "Anxiety" in glitter isn't really good.
Wow, that's neat. To me, in my opinion, it seems like, because Japan has stigmatized mental illness so much people don't want to talk about it, so instead Yami Kawaii makes people look at it, literally _see_ the problem. To me, the kawaii-ness of the clothing and the contrast of the dark elements draws so many people in because the Kawaii-ness is like the outer face, it's what people show the world while the dark elements represent what is underneath, what people really feel. Like the button that looks really cute but says "I want to die". The outer look is the public face, the words are the hidden feelings and so it draws people in because they can relate to it.
Yeah ,in the west we are all very aware of mental illness, we iust romanticize it and thats why alot of this is wrong ,but from what ive read, in japan ,people aren't even really aware so making people see it ,brings a bit of attention to it and might get the masses in japan thinking a bit more about it
ノクターン yami kawaii is dumb
i totally agree with you on mental illness clothing not decreasing stigma. a shirt or necklace that says anxiety or depression provides no information on these disorders, no resources, NOTHING other than the name. i don't know how believable it is that it "normalizes" mental illness or "prompts discussion" because i can't see many people approaching someone that is wearing a necklace with "bipolar" on it asking that person for info about bipolar disorder.
i totally agree with the good intentions, but that doesn't mean the impact is 100% good!! i especially feel like the language "anxiety queen" is a little glamorizing? i would maybe have less of an issue if it said something like "ask me about my anxiety" or "anxiety doesn't define me." i'm all for "owning" our mental illnesses, but i think there is a way to do so that is less exploitive.
i think there are totally clothing items that are positive for mental illness stigma. for example, i have a few shirts from past NEDA walks that say things like "hope starts here" - i think that's a good message about mental illness to share as opposed to just saying "eating disorders"! or i used to see a shirt going around the online ed recovery community that said "100 reasons to recover" which is a blog dedicated to bringing hope for recovery - that's a shirt that might prompt someone to look up what ARE 100 reasons to recover and find a place that is pro-recovery and discover information from there! there are totally positive outcomes from wearing "mental illness merch" but i think the execution needs to be stronger.
"it's a baby body suit" LMAOOOOOO
these videos are always a pleasure
OMG EMMA I LOVE YOU. also completely agree with your comment 😘
Are agree! I also remember seeing some bracelets that said something like “ no story should end too soon - suicide awareness. I think that and the NEDA shirts are a great example of how to I guess “ represent “ mental illness it shows hope and that it will get better and there’s other people that know that. It’s like with band T-shirt’s you may think that in your town no one knows your favorite band and then you go to a different state and you see like 50 people wearing a black veil brides shirt and you instantly feel accepted or like they get you. I hope this makes sense
EMMA PLEASE DO A VIDEO ABOUT THIS! Ever since I saw the post for the necklaces on instagram and bursted into tears (still not sure why it affected me soo much..) I've wanted to hear your opinion about it!
Agree. Don't like the shirts in the video but I gladly wear shirts from walks that I've done that actually have information and resources printed on them.
the thing about yami kawaii/menhera/cute hospital aesthetics is that a lot of people (including myself) use them to cope.
I spend a lot of time in hospitals, in doctor's offices, around psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists. I used to hate it, but I like to think that cute/pastel hospital things made me feel like it wasn't so bad, and I use it to cope with the amount of time i spend there.
As for the fashion part, (yami kawaii, menhera) it makes me feel like I can be mentally ill *and* cute.
I think there's a lot of stereotyping about how if you're mentally ill, you can't be normal, you can't function like the rest of people, and you can't be cute. A lot of what these subcultures are saying is that you can be mentally ill and dress cute, and bringing medical elements into it helps a lot of people cope.
I'm not into fashion, but I do draw, I draw a lot of cute/kawaii nurses because it makes me feel better. Some people might dress like that, or make blogs about it. Using medical elements can make someone feel better because they don't feel powerless, it might make them think "If I have to spend so much time dealing with doctors, blood tests, and pills, I might as well try to make it less scary"
I like the style because I can express myself, I can make my experiences less scary. I'm not saying they aren't, not being able to leave your room because the thing outside will kill you is fucking scary, but it helps me cope.
Anyways, these are just my thoughts, I'd love to hear yours.
I totally agree with you! For a while, I was in and out of hospitals and it made me feel disgusting and gross. I don't exactly love the self-harm and suicide aspects of yami kawaii but I love the medical part. I love it because I want to feel cute and it makes me feel less guilty and I'm glad some people think it's cute 💕
I definitely agree, I wear yami kawaii and I suffer from mental illnesses, and physical illnesses, I use medical themes because it makes me feel like at least if I have to deal with this I can use my fashion to cope and feel like I’m not so isolated.
If I wore an anxiety pin on my backpack, it would be my way of showing I'm no longer afraid of y own self. It would be a "yes, I have anxiety, but I'm trying to live life anyway." I have certain friends who would rather not talk about these things, so having that there would help them understand without bringing it up.
But for some of these things, I totally agree that hey should not just have the mental illness just- there.
Why would you show to strangers that you used to be afraid of yourself? If I had anxiety but got over it, why would I advertise my no-longer existing problem? It's like not getting over the past and attention seeking. If you dare to wear products like those, you can also ask for help. I had a classmate with anxiety, she had to go to a special school. Wearing anxiety labeled accessory would give her more anxiety because her state originated from paranoia.
@@BenefitCounterbench Hun, like the person above said, it's individual. Not everyone with anxiety is the same. There are different levels of anxiety. Don't tell people how to live their life...
There is an AMAZING book by Francesca Zappia called "made you up" with a schizophrenic main character who isn't CrAZy And WiLDly mURdErouS and doesn't hear voices and is sane and it's so good I recommend it so so so much!
can i assume that she on meds thats why she doesn't hear voices? does she have delusion and if not does she really have schizophrenia then?
@@fisherwomen1515 oh yes, the main character lives with a delusion that you could classify as hearing voices as well.
emotional_canteloupe I loved that book! However, it got lots of bad reviews for the type of schizophrenia she had even though the author explained it and said it’s not common for a teen to have that type, but it is possible. It’s good read even if you don’t care for the mental illness aspect. 😊 she’s a good author
Words on bathroom walls is great too
Mcflamango I think that’s getting a movie. I saw a trailer with that title about a boy who has schizophrenia.
I personally have a shirt that says "Autism is my superpower", which I wear for awareness events. I definitely feel empowered by wearing my disorder on my sleeve, but I totally understand that many people don't feel safe doing so. I hid it for a really long time. It took years for me to accept myself and say screw it to stigma and societal standards.
PhantomSaysHi I can see were your coming from here. I think that maybe it might be harder for people with depression or bipolar, seeing as they are illnesses that are commonly considered “cure-able”.
I think it’s great that you’re becoming more confident though.
I hate autism I hate myself and everything about my autism it isn't a superpower it's horrible
The thing about autism is that it's not like depression or anxiety where all it does is hurt your brain. Although hyperfixation is a common symptom, it can lead to some pretty amazing things. I don't have autism, but I've come to understand it quite well, and I know that it's not something that's necessarily good or bad.
PhantomSaysHi I have autism but I don't consider it a superpower. Instead I'd rather use my logic and memes. ;)
PhantomSaysHi And why the fuck are you feeling empowered????
Yami kawaii is supposed to give awareness of depression and self harm by putting it in harajuku fashion. She didn't mention how the mini documentary about this fashion ,is actually helping the people who suffer with mental illness , they even say it is a healthy outlet for them because fashion is an art in Japan, it means something, they want to project their feelings , they want to break the taboo about talking about mental illness with this fashion . Yami kawaii has a purpose .
kimkannival agreed :)
she is aware of this however its a common opinion that although the trend (for lack of a better word aha) have good intent it actually does more harm than good which i think why this is a complicated topic :0
kimkannival I think with Yami Kawaii it does have its purpose and it can be helpful but at the same time when there's a manga where a girl gets her superpowers by cutting herself it should absolutely not be sold. If a kid has seen this or someone who can be easily influenced then it will absolutely give the wrong message tbh
Bisuko started drawing Menhara-chan to get through the stress of studying. It plays off of Japan’s “honor through suicide thing”
Burnt Toast as with my origional comment, i dont doubt that menhera chan was created with good intention, even i draw art that could be similar to vent out my negative feelings. However i understand that young children may see this art and be influenced to act harmfully to themselves :•( i wouldnt want that happening ever so i always try to avoid glorifying self harm or other destructive things. I dont think menhera chan is wrong but i definitely think it could cause a lot of damage if precautions arent taken ;-; Its a hard topic, and it calls into question a balance of freedom of self expression and responsibility. I dont think there is a definate answer but i think the best thing to is to always encourage people to stay safe :•) sorry for that big ramble aaa
It sucks that depression and anxiety have become these "pretty" disorders. I've suffered from both since I was 13, so seven years now. People took me more seriously back then because it wasn't as romanticized as it is today. It sucks, and it makes it harder to deal with my very real disorders.
Hunter Scott I feel for you man. It's taken too lightly today because everyone throws these words around. It's not cool.
Hunter Scott
That girl at my school diagnosed herself with depression one day after i told her that i have been suffering from crippeling depression and social anxiety for 3 years. (She also thinks she is a vampire)
Hamilton ate my soul well then there's something not right with her, but I have a hunch it's not depression...
why would anyone love their anxiety? that’s not quirky or woke it’s illogical. anxiety is not a shy girl blushing and looking down, it’s suffocation. my anxiety kept me from living or being myself.
Jenna Lindsey fr. I hate that I have it and constantly feel awful about it
Sending virtual hugs to both of you. I hope the best for you guys!
I was at work once and was just tidying some leaflets that were on the desk. Some guy then "joked" "oh, you're a bit OCD then?! Haha!". I actually DO have OCD and it is not a laughing matter. When I said that I actually have got OCD, he "joked", "well you haven't got your ruler out, it can't be that bad, haha". WHAT?! I was just like "No, I actually was diagnosed as a teenager".
Honestly, the sheer lack of respect was unbelievable! The thing is, me tidying the leaflet wasn't even a compulsion, I was literally tidying it because it's my job to keep things tidy on the desk! I made it quite obvious from this point on that I had not found his "jokes" funny in anyway.
I was so angry when I left work, there was no excuse for him to belittle me in that way.
Exactly. I don't get why people think OCD is always wanting things to be straight and perfect. I've also seen so many people claim to have OCD and self-diagnose because they think its quirky.
I had obsessive compulsive behavior when I was younger, but it wasn't all about cleaning. A lot of the compulsions were random and weird. Got me in trouble at home.
@@Em_Elizabeth exactly! There's so much more to OCD than cleaning - some with OCD have completely different compulsions.
@@Em_Elizabeth I hate it when people self diagnose like that. They don't even understand what OCD is!
There were girls in my class this past semester who thought it was quirky to talk about how "anxious" they were all the time when it was very clearly just general anxiety. But when Bipolar depression, which I was diagnosed with a few months ago, was brought up one day they acted as if anyone with it was insane and should be institutionalized. Needless to say it pissed me off because they can talk about their ~aesthetically pleasing~ mental illness meanwhile I'm a deranged psycho because I'm sad one part of the day and then very happy the next.
I really really don’t get why some people think being depressed or having an anxiety disorder is an “aesthetic”
As someone who struggles with both, it makes me so uncomfortable and I never know how to react
It makes me feel like I’m a joke
Yeah. I struggle hard with existential depression and it's the worst fucking thing ever. I don't think anyone who has EVER experienced actual depression would think it was cute. Because it makes u wanna fucking die
God if there is an ADHD or Asbergers "aesthetic" I will fucking scream
To be honest, those people making it "cool" or "romantic" to be depressed or anxious (and nothing else) is a large part of the reason why I never spoke up as a teenager when I felt that way... I was so upset and preoccupied with not wanting to be seen as "faking it for attention" or being a band-wagon jumper that I subsequently didn't get help until I tried to kill myself. This kind of attention imo doesn't help the cause, it hinders it.
Even now as an adult where my cluster of mental disorders is less crippling than it was when I was younger, I still cringe when I see MIs glorified like this. My OCPD &OCD isn't a phase. Depression isn't "tragically beautiful". People who tell you that they love their illnesses are either filthy liars, or out of their MIND because believe you me, if I could rid myself of these health problems I would, quicker than you could blink with no second thoughts.
THANK. YOU. All of what you said is completely right and I feel the exact same way when approaching this topic.
Oh god I relate. I don't tell people about my diagnosed anxiety because of all the people who fake it to be cute.
Sophia Neilsson exactly, nothing is romantic about not showering or brushing your hair for a week because of depression lol, or being too depressed to brush your teeth
This may seem like the wrong place to ask but who did you talk to? I’m too afraid to talk to my mum about how I feel because I don’t want to make it seem like I’m overreacting but I can’t seem to get happy, I spoke to Samaritans who weren’t very helpful do idk what to do
Yes I agree with you whole heartedly. I feel as though normalizing these mental illnesses makes people think it's alright to feel this way. To an extent, yes most people feel that way but it's not okay when it effects how to interact with other people and how you view yourself. It's not okay when you can't get out of bed, or even order some fucking food to feed yourself. How could people glamorize this behavior? I'd never want mental illness to be demonized but for it to be glamorized it almost just as bad. Why can't there just be some middle ground? Lol.
I wear menhera (similar to yami but yami is just aesthetic where as menhera is a movement by and for people with disabilities etc) and I love wearing things that represent my own mental and physically health struggle, I like to actively do things with my fashion to raise awareness and fight stigmas so somethings like the heart anxiety pin I like due to being able to display something I have instead of hiding away like I have in the past out of shame.
However I pretty much agree with all your videos on your stance towards these products. I hate how anyone can just wear disabilities as a fashion accessory, and how horrid most of these products are. Unless it effects you and empowers you to wear something relating to your own struggle I don't understand why anyone would want to wear things saying depressions, bi polar etc its just a disgusting thing to do and unfortunately with the rise of that refinery29 video which has a lot of inaccuracies etc so many people are getting into yami and present a very offensive glorifying mental health sort of style because its currently whats cool.
I'll never understand why people tend to pretend to be sick or wear jokes about real issues that affect people. I wish more people actually knew about menhera and how liberating it can be is you are passionate about expressing yourself through clothing and vent art for the cause of fighting against these harmful stigmas.
If anyone is looking for information for menhera in English please check out FYmenhera on tumblr- they have worked hard for years providing info for people overseas before this current glorification fashion trend took hold and will answer questions and help.
so, i'm autistic and "spicy autism" is a joke within our community. the labels "high functioning" and "low functioning" are ableist and inaccurate but non-autistic people insist on using them for us, which is how jokes like "spicy autism" were born. like, if a nonautistic person asks what "kind" of autism we have, if we just aren't in the mood for that today, an autistic person might sarcastically reply "oh i have spicy autism".
it's an example that's not the same as the others that you pointed out because it's an out-group punching up rather than an in-group punching down. the site you were using to look at shirts looked like zazzle, which allows you to put any kind of text on a shirt, and more than likely it has an autistic creator. please don't put it on the same level as the other apparel you mentioned.
Iam autistic and I go with sweet and tangy autism
It can bring up discussion with people about not using functioning label
I am glad that you included something about autism in your video. Please don’t forget about ADHD. That’s another one that is used the same way that people use OCD. If you actually have ADHD it can be pretty debilitating and difficult to have to deal with.
so true, I'm working with children, and with every slightly active child, there are people saying it has ADHD
Vivien Koehler Thanks for commenting. There is a lot more to ADHD than just hyperactivity and inattentive behavior as well. There can be a lot of other co mobidities that most people don’t know about. Impulsiveness, tactile sensitivity, social issues, speech problems, fine motor issues, and so many more.
Don't forget ADD too!
ADD yes... but scientifically ADHD doesn't really exist
VaenaVanadis uh what
"in the US we treat mental health as serious as physical health"
me: "..we do??"
that’s what they stated in the video and we are FAR more along in this than Japan is.
that's true, but we still have a lot of work to do, especially in the south. coming from north carolina getting mental health services w/o insurance there was like pulling teeth :/
I really appreciate her calling out the fact only some disorders are really addressed. I have anxiety, depression, ARFID and PTSD. The last of which definitely causes fear in people because anyone who has seen me break down knows it is worrisome and I have been hurt in an episode and it makes people worried I could lash out at them.
It sucks. I have less trust in myself as my mental health gets crappier and it becomes a vicious cycle.
Redbubble doesn't control the stuff they make, yo, the users design the shirts and the site physically makes it and sells it on behalf of the user.
Btw, not disagreeing with you about the trivializing of autism because as a teenager in high school lord knows I see it a lot, but the spicy austism thing I believe was created by actually autistic people to mock functioning labels. It's satirical, and it is genuinely funny if you know what it's referring to.
Caerulea Tigris hahahaaaa I love some good satire.
When she said she “loves her anxiety”, I think she means that she’s learned to not beat herself up for having it. Or maybe she grew more comfortable with it and stopped comparing her worth to others.
i love that you always try and start discussions with your viewers. people say you’re sensitive or whatever but you’re super open to what other people have to say so i don’t see where that comes from. seeing you advocate for mental health awareness is super inspiring and has seriously made me rethink my whole career path. psychology degree here i come.
bailey nichole 100000% agree. I think ppl who call Sarah sensitive maybe dont understand where Sarah's coming from. I admire Sarah's constant advocacy of mental health.
thank you so much that means the world to me! I truly am open to different opinions and perspectives, I only delete comments that aren’t respectful or are written for the sole purpose of being shocking. I just advocate for respect all around because I want people to respect what I have to say and it goes both ways. good luck on your degree! :)
I saw the anxiety queen shirt on my instagram a few days ago and I was just waiting for you to make a video about it. I agree with absolutely everything in this video. I hate seeing people make money off of other people's suffering
I would never wear a T-shirt saying “I want to die” for “fashion” because what happens when you walk past someone who’s attempted suicide or someone’s who’s lost a family member or friend who committed suicide.
Also with those necklaces I could see what they were trying to do but they could have put other things on the necklace maybe related to depression and anxiety like “breathe” or “alone”, these are just some ideas which took me 5 seconds to think of so I’m sure if they put in a bit more effort they could come up with something respectful but also raising awareness and normalising mental health disorders, they were just a lazy attempt at doing these things.
Exactly. Instead of romanticizing a serious and life-altering disease, think about how you could spread awareness or remind them of how it gets better.
I made a pin that says "I'm autistic. I may not respond" I put this on when I shut down and can't physically talk. I did wear it for a full day and didn't like that so I only put it on when I can't talk that way I can tell people that I can't talk (because of my autism) by pointing to the pin. I made the line sound light hearted instead of being too serious because if I'm going to wear anything I don't want people to pity me. I just want people to know that I can't speak without using words (writing or verbal) all I have to do is point.
people always say "i'm soooo anxious, omg my anxiety" and it makes me feel alone because they're talking about a trivial thing, when i feel it all the time
i told someone how i went to the emergency room during an anxiety attack, and they just go "oh"
I paused to leave this comment so forgive me if you touch on this in the video but I think the reason why we don't have merch for mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is because those are exclusive to mental illnesses. Like someone can feel anxious or depressed without having clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.
I don’t think everyone feels ANXIETY. Anxiety and worry are two different things. Worry is what the majority of people feel. Anxiety is much more than that, so before you make a blanket statement like that, please do your research.
Hailey wow, anyone can feel anxious without having an anxiety disorder. I have an anxiety disorder. I'm also aware that people feel anxious sometimes.
I know about my own disorder but thanks for assuming I don't. ✌
babeofoz I think what she means is that yes, people feel anxious, but they don't have anxiety. Most mental illness merch has the word "anxiety" not "anxious", so it can't really be for everyone. Does that make sense?
Done whichu i agree with you, as i know people throw the terms “my anxiety” and “my depression” around to describe them being stressed or sad. I know people are able to feel anxious and depressed but it’s different from actually having anxiety and depression, as I suffer from both of these disorders.
Semi Automatic 1. No one told you to do your research. 2. No one told you you don't know you'd disorder. I have an anxiety disorder as well, okay? So be chill. Anxiety and feeling anxious are two separate things is what I'm saying. You can feel anxious without having anxiety.
I love that you make these videos. These videos are actually part of a research paper i am writing on whether or not the fashion industry is making mental illness trendy or if they are trying to spread awareness. I am like you and I see it as a trend/ quick way to make money than anything else. I am so glad that you put the more grey-area pieces in.. they make you think a bit more. Anyways, thank you for continuing to spread awareness on a topic not discussed enough! xoxo
Hey ! I am currently working on a blog post on that topic ! Would you please consider sharing your work or ressources you used ? Thank you so much!
i have a shirt that says “borderline and beautiful” that come from one of the websites you shared, red bubble. that shirt is a reminder for me that i am more than my bpd, and i feel less self-conscious flaunting that than a shirt that says “bpd babe” ( which is another real shirt i’ve seen on red bubble ... smh ). someone even said they liked my shirt, which gave me the impression that they connected with it. the context really matters; there is a difference in glamorizing mental illness & empowering it. btw i’m agreeing with you.
I don’t love my anxiety, I love myself enough to get help for it and learn to cope with it properly
Okay but consider
A shirt that says
"Don't romanticize mental illness, romanticize me because I'm sexy"
Just thin about it
It'll be sending an important message and not gonna lie it'll be pretty funny at the same time
I'm only at 4:25 in the video but I had to stop and say no you aren't hurting the company by "exposing" them. They sell this stuff for money so they're obviously not trying to hide it. If they get upset by you naming names, they shouldn't be selling these things in the first place. Thanks for making these videos. They've made me more aware of what I say and do around mental illness. Thank you
The fact that you had to make a part 3 speaks for itself. I think some people lack of sensitivity and knowledge of what mental illnesses really mean.
Dissapointed but not surprised
Actually....that would be a good t-shirt to wear.
honestly my favorite part about this video is that you know when you’re not an expert. you often say “i’ve never experienced this so i cant say,” etc. it’s great to see that you know your limits and listened to people suffering with disorders you may not have to better understand 💗
What I would love would be a patch or tshirt with something like "I am stronger than my illness" on it, now THAT would be cool because ARE stronger than our illness'.
SARRAAAHH!! I really want you to release your own merch that says stop stigmatizing mental illness or something like that! be the good u wanna see in the world mamas! love u 💖💖
xtian del rey me too!!!
I WOULD WEAR THE HELL OUTTA THAT!!!
xtian del rey that's a great idea!
I would totally wear this 💖
Thank you for addressing these issues! Someone joking about a mental illness to cope is completely different then using it as irrelevant humor for money.
A pin with the word "anxiety" in order to raise awarness has the same effect of a pin with the word "ictus" or "pacemaker". It's ok to raise awarness. This is just another way to romanticize something to the point where it's just another cute accessory that anyone can claim they have in order to be "special"
19:27 I have high functioning autism. I have been bullied my whole life, everone thought I was weird. Now I hide, it but then they say in a lier because I don't look like the people in my special ed, who have Autism as well.
Also its not a mental illness
I have the same problem, it’s like I have a more mature mind than others my age.
Autism doesn’t have a ‘look’. And it would be foolish to believe that it does. Many uneducated people tell high functioning autistic people that “you don’t look autistic?” Or “You don’t seem autistic!” Which can be taken as an insult. People with high functioning autism usually have a harder time getting a diagnosis because they have learned how to mask it and have higher social skills than someone on the other side of the spectrum. (I should know, I have Asperger syndrome.)
my mom always talks about how she's "ocd" and then complains about gen z kids faking mental illnesses lmao,, i tried to educate her but she ignored me; ok
I really appreciate the video a lot.
Yami Kawaii to me though, is something to bring more awareness to mental illness. It shows that people can be cute, bubbly, etc but theres still something to talk about and that we shouldn't ignore it. As someone with anorexia and psychotic depression its something that means a lot to me. Ive met a whole bunch of close friends from it and it makes me very thankful.
I'm usually against mental illness type merch but Yami Kawaii brought me such an amazing support group and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Love these kinds of videos, they're really interesting. My uncle has schizophrenia and he's on a mental hospital. It's not cute, it's not "fashionable", it's awful.
aw thank you :)
My uncle actually does to and I totally agree with you that it's definitely not cute or fashionable
I have schizophrenia and this video really hits home with me. Everywhere I go, I try to break the stigma of my illness, by talking about it. Even with new people that I meet. Often times, when I explain what schizophrenia is like for me, people understand and ask questions, which is a great way to spread awareness. I do of course also meet people who get a bit scared, because schizophrenia is percieved to be dangerous. Despite this I keep trying to spread awareness, and hopefully, one day, it won't be so scary to declare that you have schizophrenia. Love you Sarah. Thank you for the video.
so I have watched a lot of your videos, and a couple things:
1. you have SUCH a soothing voice.
2. I've always thought you looked like Corinne from threadbanger and I love it.
“Anxiety is just a feeling”
Lmao
Can I forward this video to the entire human population?
please do lol
I don't mind the necklaces or the pin. I'm mentally ill and I love menhera. It's a way of saying "i'm not ashamed of myself. I'm not broken. I am mentally ill and I am proud."
In my high school, schizophrenia is extremely romanticized and it’s absolutely awful. Kids just say that they have it to sound “different” or “cool”... I don’t see how having schizophrenia is cool at all... it’s a horrible illness to experience. I personally don’t have it, but my father is a psychiatrist. He comes home stressed out every day because of how bad some of his schizophrenic patients are... it just makes me so angry when my peers just say that they have schizophrenia so casually.
i mean, i get the thing with the first shirt (anxiety queen) she probably had fought a lot with it, and now that she feels stronger than the illness, and that's great! and it's fine to make a shirt about it and then you explain it to ppl that's fine, but make it merch? idk, i imagine 12 yo wearing that, feeling edgy bc they are anxiety queens, it's just nope. but maaaybe, she was trying to help other ppl with the same illness to fight it and trying to make them feel like their illness is not superior and that it doesn't have power over them.
Also, wtf with the necklesses? if they're so into illnesses, then why not "poliomyelitis" or "lupus" or "acute myocardial infarction" of course they won't do that, that would be stupid.
Exactly I would be better for her to explain mental illness in other ways and raise money from that other ways as a person with anxiety I would never wear this type of merchandise I will prefer too put money in other type of awareness community's
I'd wear merch that says "measles" "mumps" or "the black plague" to be ironic and simultaneously mock anti-vaxxers.
@@LoonyHalfBlood haha genius 😂👏
Anxiety is NOT funny. Depression is NOT funny. OCD is NOT funny. PTSD is NOT funny. Autism is NOT funny. Nothing about it is funny. I have all of them and they have never made me laugh or smile. The opposite actually. Anxiety makes it hard to breath when I'm around people, it makes it hard to sleep. I have panic attacks that feel like I'm dying and I peel away my skin with my nails. I skipped my friends birthday party today because I was too afraid to go. Depression is not fun either, it's hard to motivate me. Food doesn't taste good, I barely eat. OCD does make me obsess over germs and neatness, but that's not true for everyone with OCD. And I absolutely hate it when people make fun of it. Sometimes it's so bad I feel like I want to die, I can't touch anything outside of my room and I wash my hands so much they start bleeding. They are always cracked and scabbed. I also peel away my skin because of it. PTSD is horrible, because horrible things have happened to me, and when I get flashbacks I start peeling my skin during the panic attack. And Autism makes it even harder to make friends since I don't "Act normal" and when people find out I have it they treat me differently, like I'm a little kid. Autism doesn't make me stupid, I have a very high IQ. Peeling away my skin is my coping mechanism when feeling panicked so I have scars all over my arms, legs, and stomach. When people see them they don't think it's pretty, they think it's gross and scary. Because that's what it is. So people need to stop making fun of them because they are NOT jokes.
Annabeth Chase I don't think you have OCD because it's not just oh germs neatness it's complusions it's way hard and it's a anxiety disorder and it sound like you three anxiety (sound like soical), ptsd which is formed from a serious serious type of panic disorder and ocd which it sounds like you just have a personality disorder with that because the chance of you have three anxiety illnesses you whouldnt be able to function in a normal life literally (school, friend, family, just you whouldnt) the anxiety whould literally overcome you.
Annabeth Chase but I just read the rest and I dunno (do you go to treatment)
Nikkie Whetstone yes, I go to a psychiatrist to help figure out which medications I should take and where I should go for other treatment, i also talk to her about my anxiety and depression. I go to a therapist for my OCD and I am also on anti-psychotics for my OCD and anxiety.
Nikkie Whetstone I have been diagnosed with all of my mental illnesses by multiple professionals telling me the same things. I can't function very well in school or in public, my grades are terrible, I don't talk to anyone, I have no friends, everyone thinks I'm weird and hates me, I only go a half day at school (I was homeschooled before but my therapist made me go back), and I never go outside other than going to school.
:( I'm so sorry you go through this. I hope you at least find people who understand you online, like forums or the like? It can be really helpful.
While I am not ashamed of my mental illnesses; I don’t understand the need to make everyone aware of the things I am trying to change and get through.
As someone who has suffered for years with aniexty I don't think merchandise is going to make it easier to talk about or even get help. We do need to talk about mental health more but there is a better way to do so. Love these videos!
I was not expecting the last one. I have Aspergers, a form of autism. I can be self deprecating at home, because I am with my family and I know people are not going to be mean about it. But people do not seem to understand that with autism I can’t do things on my own that everyone else can do, and things can be hard at times as things are hard to process. I won’t be ashamed of being on the autistic spectrum however. It is the way I am. And I feel I can make my UA-cam videos because of the way that I see things differently to others. But I wouldn’t wear a shirt like that. I hope my comment makes sense, as I can waffle on at times 🙂.
The Wolf Princess I have Aspergers too, and I’d never wear it on a shirt. It’s not a joke.
here comes fresh fire I know what you mean. It’s bad enough that it is not taken seriously by others who think that it is nothing, and that there is not a lot of help for people. I saw something on the news once on changes wanting to be made on diagnosis and I had to make a video on it because it made me mad what they were saying.
Sophie Mog Then they're not your real friends. Find people who will really accept you and be open about it! You've always been the same way. "Autism" is just a word for the way you personally do things. People understand you more when you tell them you have it as it explains why you do certain things.
jooniskates I agree with you. I could not have said it better.
Yeah, I've got autism as well and I also think that shirt's kind of weird.
I don't know how I'd feel about someone without autism wearing it. What even is the joke? Like, "Hey, I am _very_ autistic!"
-I get making fun of or playing around with the aspects of a disorder- THAT DID NOT make much sense when I reread it... I mean like, it's one thing to joke about the aspects of a disorder to be relatable towards people who have the disorder. In the case of this shirt, it's hard to figure out what the joke is and it comes off, at least to me, as just autism is just a joke.
I'd only wear it to make my family mad. I can _maybe_ see someone with autism wearing it as an empowering thing.
I don't see it working anywhere else much.
how is just a word raising awearness? it tells you nothing. you learn nothing.
i have anxiety and i think i would buy the pin because it would make me feel better about having anxiety, it IS cute but i would also buy it because anxiety is apart of me and i think it would just make me feel better about having anxiety, idk.
sunkissed sadie
Wow, you’re everywhere.
you sound really stupid lol
yea sick ... how do i sound stupid
sunkissed sadie what kind of anxiety do you have?
how does a pin make you feel better?
That one with the memes ironic depression chronic, and the mental illness is not a joke tshirts are I believe are on Red bubble. And that is a site with seperate artists to sell their own things, the site doesn't often take down their shirts and the artists creating them are not okay. But the site isn't the issue...
The autism one. Wow. As an autistic person that is just wow.
Yami Kawaii is also used for metal and physical illness and I have a friend who is both physically disabled and mentally ill who wears this fashion and what you said in the beginning is sorta true, she wears it because it is the only way she can express her emotion about it without being hurt by people for speaking on it.
The anti social social club is one I have never liked either and do not understand, and now with their "spring line" that sucks.
Thank you for doing these videos I have always liked them!
Kei Hill ey that quite was from a jacksfilms video were one of his viewers had it in his Twitter bio
Megan Louise Which quote?
Kei Hill some quote about chronic depression, I can't remember what it was exactly. I think it was like "chronically depressed and ______ stressed"
Megan Louise when he was fixing twitter bios there was one that said "stressed, depressed and Sherlock obsessed" it isn't the worst but still
Kei Hill I never liked anti social social club either. I'm also 100% sure that They mean Asocial, not anti social because anti social is a personality disorder that often accompanies psychotic characteristics and I'm pretty sure that they mean a person who avoids being social.(which would be asocial)
hey sarah! i am a senior in high school and i just wanted to comment and say that your videos have definitely helped me choose to major in psychology in college. i love how informative your videos are! thanks for everything you do!
You should do a video on people who use the word antisocial to describe themselves and what it really means! It bothers me when people are like "omg yeah i'm antisocial" when they really mean they're asocial/introverted.
Olivia Frances I'm antisocial, but I don't have a disorder. Like she said in the video, sometimes these words are just descriptions.
I can feel depression without being clinically depressed, and I can feel anxiety when I don't have an anxiety disorder. I can be antisocial without having it hinder my everyday life, meaning it's not a disorder. In other words, the very definition is in the word. Against socialization.
Hannah Tucker I know, but I mean when people use it in the wrong way to mean like socially awkward rather than being against socializing.
Olivia Frances it gets a bit wishy washy when you're defining these things. No, being awkward may not mean antisocial, but your awkwardness may lead you to not like socialization and be against it.
Once you put "disorder" at the end of it, that becomes a whole different ball game because it has to reach an extent that effects how you live everyday.
It's different with bipolar disorder because it's not really a feeling or characteristic, rather. Antisocial can be a characteristic, in the same way depression and anxiety are emotions.
I don't find it malicious if someone were to describe themselves as antisocial, or even damaging, because of the derivative of the actual word.
Antisocial personality disorder is what pop culture labels as psychopaths/sociopaths. Any sort of socializing disorder could be avoidant personality disorder/a phobia.
Hannah Tucker I get what you're saying, I just mean when people use it incorrectly
How. How can you claim to LOVE AN ILLNESS. HOW
I'm Corona's wife and gf. If you touch it you will D I E E E E
I mean, if you think of the concept of love as like, applying empathy and radical acceptance to yourself in times of struggle, maybe? I'd never use that wording though.
As someone who suffers from BPD it means a lot to me that you bring it up a few times in this video, as most people either don't know what it is or misunderstand it. 💛
Shit they did it again
DancesWithBeauty love your profile pic
I really hope this made to be read like Britney Spears would sing it
Lol I read it just like that :D
I've struggled with my mental illnesses for a few years now and seeing my peers (I'm a teenager at college) wearing this type of merchandise and joking about mental illnesses about it being a choice someone made shows that the mech did nothing good. I do have a shirt that can be considered 'mental illness merch' but in my opinion the design acts as a kind of warning as at the top it says 'be careful'. I interpret it as 'be careful about how you treat and talk about people with mental illness', as negative treatment can, and in most cases will, worsen the person/people's situation or state.
The Japanese movement of yami kawaii is a positive step in my opinion because, as you said, they can't talk about their illnesses as we can. So instead of speaking about it, the merch reminds people that mental illness is present in their society. I think it works as an 'I can't say it, so I'll show it' or 'this is something you cannot ignore' type of thing that will create dialogue. However, such a movement in other countries will likely work to the detriment of people with mental illness as most countries, while having stigmas, are open about such illnesses.
Thank you for making mental illness related content, it has no doubt helped others and myself with our illnesses and taught many others about mental illnesses. Your content creates dialogue and educates people about something they otherwise wouldn't know or hear about.
You put it in freaking words dude
Haha, thanks!
I am a subscriber and have been a fan of these videos showcasing some of the awfully thought out merch. However, I had a feeling the Anxiety Queen merch was going to be called out and personally I think it’s uncalled for. Everyone involved and everyone buying the shirts are making light of their mental illness. Yes, it’s part of generational dark humor, but wearing the things you don’t necessarily enjoy about yourself is a way to not let them define you. Kelsey’s fans are extremely respectful and many many people were excited about the release because it allowed her to speak about and contribute to a great cause. When it comes to mental illnesses, you don’t get to tell anyone how to feel.
yes!!! I watch kelsey and kate's podcast and it ENTIRELY HELPS DE-STIGMATIZE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION and many other issues that people (especially women) face. the proceeds go straight to a good cause and the shirt is not making a joke about anxiety. To me it says "I have anxiety and I am still a queen". kelsey can't control who buys and wears the shirts, but they control where the money goes from it and I think that's more important than what some teenager who thinks anxiety is cute is wearing. I get tired of people saying they have anxiety when they don't, but that doesn't mean you need to bash someone that is trying her hardest to make it known what she goes through and be a spokesperson for anxiety. I would hope that next time you look further into what the actual situation is before assuming things about people. you yourself said you don't know who she is and made assumptions
I think she was really respectful in the call out. She mentioned that the shirt had good intentions behind it but that she personally isn't a fan. I'm not really a fan either because, as someone with an anxiety disorder who was socialized female, women are often accused of being highly emotional and the shirt isn't specific. It doesn't say "full of anxiety and still a queen," it says "anxiety queen" which can be taken as meaning "overly emotional woman" or "I worry because of my gender." If it were specific, I'd be more okay with it, but it's too vague. It doesn't destigmatize anything and only has meaning if you're already in the know.
man, you're super genuine; its really refreshing. i really appreciate creators like you using and creating a platform based on the societal conversations we are having surrounding mental health. great vid :~)
I wear pins like the pink anxiety one. The reason I wear them is I have severe social anxiety that can come out in the form of some really obvious physical ticks and not being able to speak at the time. I like having something I can point to that explains what is going on when/if strangers approach me trying to be helpful/nosey. For that i prefer pins like the pink one because it blends in with my other pins on my bag well enough to were I feel like it doesn't draw attention until I need it. I always try to purchase them from independent artist that donate proceeds and seem to have good intentions.
About the autism shirt, that's a bit of a wild one for me because I am autistic and I personally own a shirt that says Autistic on it with an anarchy A because I think it's funny and kind of cute, but the extra spicy autism one rubs me the wrong way. I get that it's like a joke on mild autism and stuff (which thank you for joking about functioning labels they're stupid and don't make sense please make fun of them) but it just feels like something that those people who call things they don't like "autistic" as an insult would wear, rather than something a real autistic person would ever purchase
With the kelsey darragh one, if you even know her a little it's more understandable. She means she's a queen despite and with her anxiety. And by saying she loves it she doesn't love it really. She jas just accepted that it's a part of her and she loves every part of herself, even her flaws, like her anxiety.
This just makes me so frustrated.....these items just add to the stigma and undermine the seriousness of mental illness. I know that a lot of these people don’t mean any harm, but some are just really insensitive...
I’m so glad your bringing awareness to this!! 💕💕💕
Sometimes i just dont get how some people can love stuff like "anxiety queen" after fighting against anxiety for years. I had an anxiety disorder since very young and its one of the worst thing happening to me, and i couldnt wear something that claims it. Idk why, i just dont feel like it.
stephan tyrone I agree. I feel like `Anxiety? Still a queen.’ Would make more sense and i would buy that y’know?
I am so happy I found you’re channel, anxiety sucks but my friends and family are a huge help and I hope whoever else is going through depression and anxiety have people to pull them out of that dark cloud. I personally dislike merchandise that involves mental illness but I understand that people use humour to lighten up the mood but to wear something in public in front of people that will deal with that stuff or even people that aren’t aware of the illnesses might think that an illness such as depression for example should be popularised. I’m happy reading the comments knowing that people understand the situation and can differ between the right and the wrong. :))
I've seen the necklaces so thanks for talking about them and the other merch items. Of course they pick the two most talked about mental illnesses and yeah, I agree, there's going to be people buying this just to support the people making them and it seems to disregard the mental anguish that people with disorders go through especially because depression and anxiety are commonly thrown around. And the fact that it glamorizes the illness. Idk I love that they're giving the proceeds to charities but everything else is just not quite right. And with anti social social club i like the brand logo and everything but schizophrenia on a shirt? I just can't
Whenever I see mental illness merch I always think of those dogs that wear the patches that say "I'm anxious, please don't pet me"
As someone who’s grown up with three members of my family being on the autism spectrum , I will never be able to wrap my head around the fact that clothing companies still produce clothing that makes fun of autism.
I’m sorry but it’s not a fashion statement and any clothing company that thinks it is, in my opinion, should just stop making the clothing that has any mental illness on it altogether.
A note on the yami kawaii. Personally, I really love menhera chan and the yami kawaii line. Why? Well, as a person struggling with mental health, I liked the representation. I liked seeing a character that had scars. Looking at it made me feel not alone and I actually have been able to curb the urges of self harm by reading the works and self reflecting. I am not too sure why, though tbh
I love how in each video you gradually discuss the merch more, you barely discussed it in the first video and definitely discussed it more in the second, and in this video I can see you pouring your heart out and it’s amazing to see
I actually kind of like Yami Kawaii, and in Japan it's one of the only ways many mentally ill feel they can express themself freely. It's also an interesting way to raise awareness. HOWEVER these other clothing items are disgusting. Honestly what is so glamorous about mental illness? I myself suffer from Anxiety (a few forms actually), Depression and OCD and if I was given a chance to live without them, I would IN A HEARTBEAT accept. It sickens me to see that people think this is okay...it's not cute. I'm in no way ashamed to be mentally ill, I've had mental illness since I was quite young (diagnosed with Selective Mutism at 4) but I don't want to wear it on a fucking t-shirt.
EspecialLY OCD OMFG. When Target came out with that Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater I was fucking heATED.
I just know that i personally do use humor to cope with my struggles with mental illness. I do have bipolar disorder and the “periodically crazy” shirt did make me laugh a little just because it is relatable for me. And I have a friend who struggles with severe depression and she loves memes, so she would love the “ironic-chronic” shirt because of that. So in our case, we’re making jokes about our personal experiences, which i think is fine. But, selling merchandise causes issues because not everyone has the right intensions when it comes to perchasing these items. I hate the idea of someone who does not have bipolar disorder, and likely knows nothing about what it’s really like to deal with it, owning that shirt. Because they don’t know what it really is like to have this disorder. It’s all about intension, and sadly most people’s intensions won’t align with what we believe is right.
And another thing, while I joke about my mental illness and my personal experiences with it, I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I don’t want to let my disorder define me, I don’t want to, essentially, be like “Hi, I’m Sierra, I have bipolar disorder and my favorite color is pink.” I don’t want it to have that sort of power or control, so I wouldn’t want to have a shirt labeling me as “depressed”, “anxious” or “bipolar”, simply because I want to be known and know myself as more than my mood disorder.
Love your videos and what you do to educate people about mental illness is amazing, thank you!!💙
For the anxiety queen shirt caption, I think that by what she meant when she said she loves her anxiety was that she loves it because it’s part of her personality and that without her anxiety she wouldn’t be herself. I think she’s saying she loves every part of herself. But I don’t know for sure but that’s how I think she meant it.
It’s so bizarre. They could have created merch that looked normal and not flaunting mental illnesses while still donating the proceeds to a good cause. Like, instead of necklaces that say “depression” why not a heart or a butterfly or just... anything else. I deal with mental illnesses and would never want to wear them proudly on my body. And I know it’s been said a hundred times but seriously, what anxious person would wear something that tells people “Look at me I have anxiety!”. It would be a nightmare