The recent episode of the show 'Red Table Talk,' showed Willow Smith, her mother Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Jada's mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones addressing Smith’s biggest loss. Smith revealed something shocking to her mother and grandmother for the first time - something, not even her father or brothers knew.

The 17-year-old revealed that she lost her sanity soon after her hit song “Whip My Hair” debuted in 2010. Smith stated the following: "It was after that whole ‘Whip My Hair’ thing and I had just stopped doing singing lessons and I was kind of just in this gray area of, ‘Who am I?

Do I have a purpose? Is there anything I can do besides this?"

That time in her life was following the release of the song, the pressure of a tour, song promotion, and the completion of an album. It took a toll on her and her mental health.

Although she did not disclose any of this information to her family, she did mention a close friend who was able to support her in getting out of that dark place she was in.

'Plunged into this black hole'

Smith went on to say, “I was just listening to a lot of dark music… it was so crazy, and I was just plunged into this black hole”. She then went on to reveal that in the midst of all the emotions, she began cutting herself. She said that she was experiencing “so much emotional pain, and her “physical circumstances were reflecting that.” They were the physical circumstances of self-harm.

Unfortunately, this “black hole” that those with mental illness describe so often, is quite common. This term refers to a slippery slope of fear into a dark, scary, and lonely place where deviance becomes the norm.

Essentially, the self-harm makes the pain more tangible in a sense because the act is something physical and visible.

The harm is like a release - it’s pain, but at the same time, it's something people can control. This sense of control is essentially the only form of control they have in a state of mental illness, 7Cups explained.

Don’t be afraid to speak up

Many people do not understand mental illness unless they have personally experienced and dealt with it.

And you should consider yourself lucky if you have never gone through such an emotional journey feeling worthless and meaningless. Be happy that you have not suffered from depression, anxiety, or other illness relating to mental health. Nonetheless, although experiences like these have never personally affected you, we must all overcome ignorance and take a moment to support and understand what people are going through as serious issues.

Many people took to social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to express their negative views toward Willow Smith's actions, claiming that she “had no reason to be doing that” because “other people have it so much worse”. These critics believe she should simply “get over it” because it’s all “in her head.” The lack of awareness about mental illness essentially supports these misconceptions, enforcing the stigma that surrounds it.

It’s disturbing to witness these phrases as many believe the celebrity is lying just because she is privileged. Although she is a celebrity, we have to take a moment and look at celebrities as individuals and human beings too - rich and famous people have issues with legitimate feelings just as any other normal human being does.

It’s quite ironic that the social media “community” be referred to as a "community" because by no means is it a supportive community whatsoever.

Many users of this so-called “community” have reactions that are discouraging. Rather than encouraging an open, in-depth discussion regarding issues like mental health, they are viewed as jokes.

I cannot commend this woman enough for being able to reveal her struggle. Mental illness is far more common than we know and it’s okay not to be okay. No matter who you are, where you come from, or who you associate with, we must not let these phrases and negative perspectives toward mental illness worry us and hinder us from speaking up.
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