TW: Depression, Suicide, Self-Harm, Eating Disorders.

This is for everyone who runs a “depression and suicide aesthetic” type Tumblr or Instagram.

Hey. We need to have a serious talk.

There’s a reason that an “everything okay?” message pops up on Tumblr when someone searches for content like yours. It’s because the things you’re posting to your “aesthetic” account have to do with actual, serious mental illnesses.

Depression, bipolar disorder, self-harm, anorexia, suicide, and anxiety aren’t something to be romanticized, and they’re sure as HELL not an aesthetic. Pictures of pretty pale girls with delicate features and doe-like eyes holding razor blades shouldn’t be tagged “#suicideaesthetic #depressionaesthetic #darkaesthetic #followme."

Yes, I understand that some of those pictures are posed, and that some of them are screen captures from TV shows like Skins.

But that doesn’t change the fact that actual people actually self harm, or worse. These people aren’t pretty models holding blunted razors for the sake of an “edgy” photoshoot, or professional actors or actresses on the set of a show that deals with heavy topics. They’re people battling serious mental illness, who suffer from so much anguish and suffering that they feel like hurting themselves is the only way to let it out. Using their illness as an aesthetic is not only hurtful, it’s flat-out disrespectful. After all, people don’t make “cancer aesthetic” or “HIV aesthetic” blogs, and if they did, I’m willing to bet that there would be a massive outrage.

Suicide isn’t “tragically beautiful." Self harm isn’t “a grunge girl thing."

Depression isn’t “romantic." People with eating disorders aren’t “fragile flowers." Bipolar disorder isn’t “quirky and cute." Anxiety disorder isn’t “cured with cuddles." And absolutely NONE of these things are “aesthetic”, or (possibly the worst thing to call them) “aesthetically pleasing." So stop acting like they are. Instead of glamorizing these things, you could be raising awareness. Going back to my previous example of HIV- would you rather make a blog romanticizing a serious autoimmune disorder, or a blog raising awareness and promoting research for a cure?

Yes, some people who have interest in mental illness truly want to help, and go on to study mental health and become psychologists and psychiatrists. I applaud them, and I’m extremely grateful for all of their help and kindness.

I understand that these diseases are often romanticized in the media, especially in teen television dramas such as Skins, as I previously mentioned. But while television shows are meant to draw the viewer in, not every show is meant to be replicated in real life. Another point worth mentioning is that on some shows, viewers are lead to believe that all it takes to cure a mental illness is holding someone close and saying “it’s okay”. While this can be helpful, most who suffer from mental illnesses are helped by therapy and medications prescribed by professionals

Each year, 34,000 people commit suicide.

Every 62 minutes at least one person dies as a direct result of an eating disorder. It is estimated that 350 million people suffer from depression. More than 3 million cases of bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder are diagnosed in the United States each year. These numbers are big, and that makes it clear that these illnesses are a serious problem, not something to be used as an “aesthetic post”. So stop treating them like it, and start recognizing them for what they really are- actual mental illnesses that have serious consequences.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Suicide Hotlines by State: http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: 1-800-950-6264

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline: 1-800-662-4357