Pete Davidson Opens Up About Mental Health On SNL

Pete Davidson is keeping it real. The comedian opened up about his mental health during Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" segment on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017.

"As some of you may know, I was recently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a form of depression," the 23-year-old began (via Us Weekly). "And depression affects more than 16 million people in this country and there's like, no cure, per se, but for anyone dealing with it there are treatments that can help."

"First of all, if you think you're depressed, see a doctor and talk with him about medication and also, be healthy. Eating right and exercise can make a HUGE difference," Davidson continued. "And finally, if you are in the cast of a late-night comedy show, it might help if, you know, they use more of your sketches," he jokingly added.

When "Weekend Update" anchor Colin Jost asked, "Are you saying you're depressed because you're not getting enough air time?" Davidson replied, "No, no, no. I was born depressed but it might make me feel better if I was on TV more."

"I don't know if this is maybe the best solution," Jost said, to which Davidson quipped, "It's worth a shot." 

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Davidson discussed his recent diagnosis on the podcast WTF With Marc Maron in September 2017. "I've been a pothead forever," he began. "Around October [or] September last year, I started having these mental breakdowns where I would, like, freak out and then not remember what happened after. Blind rage." 

What followed was the "worst year of [his] life." The SNL cast member decided to go to rehab to "get off weed," where he was put on medication for bipolar disorder. He got clean, but later relapsed and had a "really bad mental breakdown."

"One of my psychiatrists...was always saying before this big meltdown, 'You're probably bipolar or borderline, we're just going to have to figure it out,'" the actor explained, before adding, "I'm depressed all the time." 

Davidson is now sober and is getting the help he needs through new medication and therapy. "It is working," he said. "Slowly but surely."