The recent death of Coco Lee, a critically acclaimed international singer-songwriter, has sparked much-needed discussions about mental health in China, many social media users say.
Lee had been dealing with depression for years before committing suicide at age 48, her sisters Carol and Nancy Lee said in a statement on social media Wednesday. Many fans said they were shocked by the news about the star, known for her work as the voice of Fa Mulan in Disney’s Mandarin version of “Mulan,” as well as her decades-long singing career. Supporters of her pointed out the often hidden signs of mental health problems.
“You all need to appreciate those in front of you who are always outgoing and bubbly because you may be experiencing hardship and pain internally,” said one. Weibo wrote a user with the username Mochuan, according to a translation from NBC News. “They can present their best and warmest side to everyone else while facing the dark abyss alone.”
Fans, friends and others took to the social media platforms Weibo and WeChat to discuss depression and suicide. Many brought up Lee’s iconic smile, saying that she likely faced pressure to keep up public appearances as a celebrity.
“The complexity of life is often overlooked in narratives about public figures, and it’s easy to think we know someone completely based on a few brilliant bits,” Weibo user Li Songwei. saying. “That’s why everyone was so shocked by Coco’s death. If she was going to support the self that meets public expectations, she had to remain insulated from a part of her actual experience.”
They also stressed the importance of seeking help.
“Depression is a disease, not an ordinary bad mood. This is not a condition that can be resolved by taking a walk in the fresh air, it is a disease that needs professional treatment,” a social media user who calls himself Doctor Concord Mr. Do said of Lee.
Fans not only spoke out about the situation, but the National Health Commission also posted information about depression on WeChat following Lee’s death, encouraging Chinese citizens to assess their own mental health and identify signs of depression.
“Depression is not like a cold. It cannot be cured simply without treatment,” the statement said.
The subject of mental health has long been taboo in China. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, communist leader Mao Zedong outlawed the practice of psychiatry, as mental illness was seen as a “lack of appreciation for the class struggle,” a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal said. Today, those dealing with mental illness often face rampant discrimination.
“Public stigma has negative effects on the lives of people with mental illness, preventing them from achieving vocational, housing, and health care goals, preventing them from seeking treatment, and affecting the quality of health care provided,” a study 2020 of mental health stigma from the journal BioMed Central Psychiatry.
But in recent years, the Chinese government has placed a greater emphasis on mental health due to depression, anxiety and other widespread mental health problems that have emerged during the coronavirus pandemic. Cities established hotlines and other services, and residents began to feel more comfortable asking for help.
