After a huge scare Saturday afternoon, Pete Davidson made a brief appearance on SNL last night. SNL cast member Davidson had made a disturbing post on his Instagram, causing much concern. New York Police even arrived to check on his well-being. “We are aware of the post and we are conducting an investigation and welfare check,” police told The Hollywood Reporter.
The post had read: “I really don’t want to be on this earth anymore. I’m doing my best to stay here for you but i actually don’t know how much longer i can last. all i’ve ever tried to do was help people.”
Davidson has since deleted his Instagram, and even made a brief appearance on SNL last night to quell everyone’s fears. However, the cause behind his post are still unknown. He and Ariana Grande were engaged for a brief period earlier this year, so there is speculation his post might have had something to do with their relationship.
Davidson’s prior post had been concerning Kanye West’s openness about mental health issues. “Bravo Kanye West for standing up for yourself and speaking out against mental health,” Davidson had written. “I can’t explain to you enough how difficult and scary it is to be honest about stuff like this. We need people like Kanye. No one should ever point fingers at you for your bravery in speaking about mental health. I’m seriously disgusted.”
Additionally, Davidson had posted on Instagram about his struggles with borderline personality disorder earlier this month. “I’ve spoken about B.P.D. and being suicidal publicly only in the hopes that it will help bring awareness and help kids like myself who don’t want to be on this earth,” Davidson wrote. “No matter how hard the internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself. I won’t. I’m upset I even have to say this.”
He also was under fire early November for an inappropriate joke he had directed at Republican Congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw. Crenshaw had lost an eye while serving as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan, and Davidson’s appearance during a Weekend Update did not let that go unnoticed. “You may be surprised to hear he’s a congressional candidate in Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie,” joked Davidson, adding “I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever. Whatever.”
Although the reasons behind his post are unclear, Davidson has been receiving unending support and love from friends and fans alike.
His candor about mental issues and the sincerity of other celebrities have been said to play a crucial part in public awareness of mental disorders and how others might seek out help. According to Sophie Lazarus, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Wexner Medical Center, “It certainly can have an effect of destigmatizing (BPD). Someone who thinks they are untreatable or overly emotional or damaged might see this and look up what the symptoms (are) and seek treatment.”
[If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find a list of additional resources at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.]