Inside Pete Davidson's Struggle With Mental Illness
Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson has been candid about his struggles with mental illness and shows no signs of censoring himself anytime soon. In fact, Davidson discussed his hardships on the SNL's "Weekend Update" in January 2019, following a concerning social media post he shared in December 2018 after his split from ex-fiancé Ariana Grande.
"I've had a really crazy month, and I want to talk about something that matters a lot to me," Davidson said on the show, before joking that he was actually talking about a new Clint Eastwood movie. "I've been spending time with Pete to try to show him that you can have a life in comedy that is not insane, a sober, domestic life," comedian John Mulaney added during the segment, to which Davidson replied, "Yeah, and after observing John's life, I publicly threatened suicide," adding, "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't make that joke, but it is funny."
Although Davidson can find humor in the toughest of times, he's glad to share his experience with mental illness with those who are struggling. Keep scrolling for more details.
Pete Davidson found comfort with his mental health diagnosis
Despite making a couple of jokes at his own expense, mental health awareness is very important to Pete Davidson with the hopes of helping others find comfort in their diagnosis, like himself. "I got diagnosed with BPD [borderline personality disorder] a few years ago, and I was always just so confused all the time, and just thought something was wrong, and didn't know how to deal with it," he told Glenn Close during a virtual chat for Variety's "Actors on Actors" in January 2021.
Close had shared with the comedian that she had a relative who wasn't diagnosed with bipolar disorder until they were 50 years old, stating, "If she had been diagnosed sooner, it would have made such a big difference in her life."
Agreeing that a diagnosis could bring much clarity, Davidson said, "When somebody finally tells you, the weight of the world feels lifted off your shoulders. You feel so much better. I hope she feels that way as well." We greatly appreciate Davidson for being so candid about his struggles with mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).