Singer Sinead O’Connor has spoken candidly about her battles with mental health in an emotional 12-minute video posted to Facebook.
In the footage, the teary Irish singer explains that she is currently living in a motel and was abandoned by her family as a result of her mental health struggles, CNN reports.
“People who suffer from mental illness are the most vulnerable people on Earth,” she said. “You’ve got to take care of us. We’re not like everybody.”
In the video, the “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer explained she had struggled with suicidal thoughts.
“I have been wanting to go for two f***ing years. I’m a 5’4” little f***ing woman wandering the world for two years by myself,” she said.
“I’m now living in a Travelodge motel in the arse-end of New Jersey.
“[No one] except my doctor, my psychiatrist — who is the sweetest man on earth who says I’m his hero — and that’s about the only f**king thing keeping me alive at the moment. The fact that I’m his bloody hero … and that’s kind of pathetic.”
The 50-year-old singer shared the video along with the hashtag #OneOfMillions in the hope of shining a spotlight on the countless others with mental health issues who did not have access to appropriate care.
“I know that I’m one of millions of millions of millions of people who are just like me actually who don’t have necessarily the resources that I have in my heart – or my purse for that matter,” she explained.
The post has since gone viral with more than 1.4 million views and 8300 shares.
Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox shared her concern for O’Connor in a Facebook post.
“I realise that Sinead has some serious mental health issues, but she appears to be completely out on a limb and I’m concerned for her safety,” she wrote.
“Are there no close friends or family who could be with her to give her some loving support?”
A representative of O’Connor later posted an update on her Facebook page reassuring fans that the singer was currently in good care.
“Hi everybody, I am posting at Sinead’s request, to let everyone who loves her know she is safe, and she is not suicidal,” the post reads.
“She is surrounded by love and receiving the best of care. She asked for this to be posted knowing you are concerned for her.”
If you or someone you know needs help you can call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyondblue 1300 224 636.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
