Halsey stands up for others with bipolar disorder: ‘A manic episode isn’t a joke’

Singer-songwriter Halsey has spoken up about mental illness in a lengthy Twitter thread signed, “Human Being with a Decade Long Bipolar Diagnosis.�

On Monday night, the “Without Me� hitmaker warned against “taking this opportunity to make offensive remarks and [vilify] people with mental illnesses.� She did not specify what events or remarks prompted her tweets.

“No jokes right now,� Halsey began the thread. “I have dedicated my career to offering education and insight about bipolar disorder and I’m so disturbed by what I’m seeing. Personal opinions about someone aside, a manic episode isnt a joke. If you can’t offer understanding or sympathy, offer your silence.�

While promoting her latest album, “Manic,� which debuted in January, Halsey has been open about her own experiences with bipolar disorder in an effort to educate others about the condition. The 25-year-old Grammy nominee was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her teens.

According to Dr. Snehi Kapur, who recently sat down for a YouTube conversation with Halsey about mental health, people with bipolar disorder typically experience a “cyclical pattern of mood changes marked by depression, which is the low phase — it’s where you’re feeling sad, low energy — and the manic phase, which is usually high energy.�

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“A lot of people you know probably have bipolar disorder and you aren’t aware of it,� Halsey continued in her thread, adding, “You can hate someone’s actions or opinions without contributing to stigma that damages an entire community of sometimes vulnerable people all for a couple of laughs.�

“If you wanna think someone is [a jerk], go ahead. Lots of people with mental illnesses are great. Lots of them are [jerks]. Because they are people. With nuanced personalities. But making jokes specifically targeted towards bipolar hurts more than the 1 person ur angry with.�

“I Would Leave Me If I Could,� a forthcoming poetry collection by Halsey, is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, IndieBound and other retailers.