It all starts with your own expectations, then it goes to the expectations of society and it is here that slow death begins. From every corner we are to answer why we do things and why we do the things we do the way we do, especially if we hold a major role in the society.
A week ago, a number of Kenyan celebs among them singer Kenzo came out to reveal that they had been struggling with depression. The singer confessed why he had been staying away from friends and why his music career has been crumbling.
“For the longest time I have hidden this but I guess it’s time I come out and try encourage people undergoing the same. Friends, depression is real, only that people don’t want to come out openly because of the judgmental nature of human beings. It has driven me to think of doing things that in my entire life I never thought I would actually think of doing,” Kenzo revealed.
“I have friends and fans who have been asking why I have been on and off in music. I think depression is an emerging silent killer that really needs to be addressed. I would love to apologise to my fans and friends who I have let down musically or in any other way. Remember to check on your loved ones once in a while. You never know what that phone call can do,” he warned.
It was the same time when radio host Anita Nderu took to Instagram to express her disappointment on some of the expectations people close to her had on her. About a month ago, singer Vivian told to Pulse how she was going through pressure from people asking when her wedding with her fiancé would be.
The truth is that depression can affect anyone. It might not matter whether you are famous or not, rich or poor. And while there are different forms of depression that affect people at different levels, our celebrities mostly suffer depression due to the high expectations people have on them.
The society wants to assume they are rich, should live in the best houses and drive posh cars. Fans can’t understand why their favourite star can take a ‘matatu’ and not have a car for themselves.
Many have gone through mental trauma, some turning into drunks while others even commit suicide.
Last year Selena Gomez confessed she had been going through depression.
“I’ve had a lot of issues with depression and anxiety, and I’ve been very vocal about it, but it’s not something I feel I’ll ever overcome. There won’t be a day when I’m like, ‘Here I am in a pretty dress – I won!’ I think it’s a battle I’m gonna have to face for the rest of my life, and I’m OK with that because I know that I’m choosing myself over anything else,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.
Even Beyonce once confessed having undergone depression when her girl group, Destiny’s Child, broke up.
“I didn’t eat. I stayed in my room. I was in a really bad place in life, going through that lonely period: ‘Who am I? Who are my friends?’ My life changed,” she said.