Jane Lumley she has told everyone she perceives is jumping on the “mental illness bandwagon” to “just control themselves.”
Talking about the right wing commentator Elizabeth OakeshottOn his podcast, the actor and host said, “When someone dies and you grieve, that’s human. That is being human, you are not mentally ill.
“And I think it’s also horrible for people who are really mentally ill, who are clinically depressed, to have everyone say they need to get some kind of special treatment.”
He added: “Everyone is jumping on the mental illness bandwagon and I think that’s wrong.”
Lumley then quoted a poem from 19the 20th century poet Adam Lindsay Gordon, who says:
Life is mostly foam and bubbles,
Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in other people’s problems,
Courage in yours.
The absolutely fabulous star said, “If you only think about it, just hang on, you know what I mean?
“Of course some of you are going to feel terribly bad or suicidal or mentally depressed, that’s a different thing, but anyone who just says, ‘Oh shit,’ just think, get over it!”
Many Twitter users criticized Lumley’s comments. “I’m intrigued by what qualifications you have to make such a dangerous statement/assessment.” one person commented.
Another added: “I see Lumley is still in character as Amanda’s mom in Homeland. The ‘pull up your socks’ brigade has a lot to answer for.
“Taking care of your mental health is not the same as being clinically mentally ill. But older people seem to think that having emotions is a weakness.”
Previous good morning great britain presenter morgan piersHowever, he agreed with Lumley. “I LOVE this,” he tweeted.
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“Of course, when I have said similar things on a regular basis, I have been called a heartless monster.
“Maybe now that a national treasure like Dame Joanna has said it, people can understand that it’s actually a good thing to show mental toughness and a bit of a ‘stiff upper lip.'”
If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organizations for help: actiononaddiction.org.uk, mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk.
