Images after images appear with all the same intentions: romanticizing mental illnesses. All these catchy little quotes and rhymes combined with still images seem to scream for attention in all the wrong ways. Mental illness is exactly what it is: an illness. Do we romanticize cancer? No. Do we romanticize Cystic Fibrosis? No, no we don't. So then why on earth do we make romantic, pretty pictures talking about depression, suicide, biopolar, self-harm, and eating disorders? Are we lying to ourselves saying that it is okay to feel broken or worthless?
Depression is real. Suicide is not romantic. Self harming is dangerous. Tumblr needs to stop putting the opposite ideas into the minds of their young users. None of these things are something that should be idolized or diserable.
What is desirable is to get better, to get help. It is desireabke to leave the dark and come into the light. It is disireable to be able to put down that razor, to look in the mirror and see a beautiful reflection.
According to Charlie Warzel of Buzzfeed, Tumblr has an estimated over 300 million monthly visitors and is becoming the most popular site for young people and adolescents. So Tumblr bloggers and user, I beg of you to rethink sharing another romantic personification of a mental illness. Don't let another little sister fall into the romantic trap.
Go to Google Images.
Type in “Tumblr quotes."
Chances are images similar to those below:
All of these images have catchy, striking quotes, riveting backgrounds, and bold, eye catching fonts.
Now type in “Tumblr quotes depression."
Chances are you will see images similar to these: