How Celebrity Deaths Can Impact Our Mental Health

Have you ever found yourself deeply saddened by the death of a celebrity or famous person? It's not that uncommon. The bonds we forge with famous figures, known as parasocial relationships, can trigger intense emotional reactions when we learn of their deaths. It's a complex mix of sadness, confusion, shock, and oftentimes, a sense of personal loss. Social media, with its ability to facilitate communal mourning, often amplifies these feelings of sadness and loss. But how does this phenomenon of mourning a person we may never have actually come in physical contact with or met affect our mental health? And more importantly, how can we navigate this unique form of grief? In the wake of the death of Pope Francis this week, it seems a worthy topic to explore.

The Phenomenon of Parasocial Relationships

While you may not personally know celebrities, it's quite common to feel a a sense of personal connection with them. It's a psychological phenomenon known as a parasocial relationship. You invest time and emotional energy watching their lives unfold on screen. You cheer as you see them triumph over adversity and cry as your see them stumble or fall. The many challenges, hurdles, heartbreaks, and successes they play out on screen might deeply resonate with you. As your life unfolds in parallel with theirs, you may associate pictures, videos, or events in their lives with events in your own. There can be a real sense of shared reality associated with a public figure even if you never physically contact them.

Indeed, for celebrities or public figures that are in the public eye over many years, you may feel like you know them, even if you've never met. This is due to an aspect of our human nature called attachment. We are born with the desire for connection and understanding. The longer we watch a celebrity in the public eye, the stronger our attachment to them may become. It's easy to forget that their public persona often doesn't reflect their private reality and we actually don’t really know them.

Still, it's this sense of knowing in celebrity relationships that can make their death especially impactful. It's not just a headline; it's a loss that you feel personally.

Emotional Responses to Celebrity Deaths

Given the potential strength and depth of these parasocial relationships, it's understandable that you might experience a wave of emotions when a beloved celebrity passes away. You're not alone in feeling this way. It's not uncommon to feel shock, sadness, or even disbelief. In fact, your reaction might mirror the stages of grief you would expect to experience when a loved one passes: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Why? Because you've lost someone who, in a way, felt like a part of your life. They've been there through your highs and lows, even if only on a screen. Further, you may feel connected to them after watching them grow up on screen. Child actors who maintain notoriety into adulthood like Michelle Trachtenberg brought shock and disbelief followed by outpourings of support and grief when she passed. People may feel a sense of adoration of a celebrity that makes losing them hard to process. After the death of Elvis Presley young people began visiting his home, Graceland, in droves. There were even reports of fans collapsing when they heard the news. Some fans still refuse to accept the death of Elvis, sparking the proliferation of widespread conspiracy theories that Elvis had faked his death and gone into hiding. While this is not the norm, intense feelings do sometimes follow the death of a celebrity. The intensity of your emotions is a testament to the impact they've had on you. It's okay to mourn their loss and take time to process your feelings.

The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Grief

Although it might be surprising, social media plays a significant role in amplifying grief after a celebrity's death. In this digital age, you're constantly bombarded by news feeds filled with posts mourning the loss. Pictures and videos of a beloved celebrity may resurface, serving as constant reminders of the many times they touched your life.

These updates, tributes, and shared memories of the deceased can trigger your feelings of sorrow, and the constant news chatter can feel difficult to escape at times. A communal grieving process often unfolds over social media. Unfortunately, this process can be more intense than a typical loss due to the sheer volume of materials being presented to you over and over again.

You may have noticed a large number of photos and videos being shared this week of Pope Francis after his passing. It is hard to escape. He touched many people over the course of his life and was the first Pope of the social media era. In response there has been an outpouring of love and adoration for Pope Francis. While this communal grief process unfolds be sure to check in with yourself about the volume of materials you consume and it’s effect on your emotions.

Coping Mechanisms and Celebrity Losses

It can take time to process any loss. When it comes to celebrity losses, specific coping mechanisms can help you navigate the grief.

First, understand that it's okay to grieve. Celebrities often represent ideals, inspirations, and shared experiences. Their loss can feel personal. Don't rush yourself; take the time you need. People sometimes feel a sense of embarrassment when they are hit hard by the loss of someone famous. After all, “you didn’t even really know them.” But that is not true. They represented something to you. They were there in good times and bad. You may have witnessed major milestones in their lives. This can feel very personal.

Second, express your feelings. Journaling, art, or discussing your emotions with others can be therapeutic. If you find yourself needing to express your emotions, don’t hold them in. Let them out through expressive art projects. You can even share these projects online with others who are struggling.

Third, limit media exposure. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the constant influx of information and tributes. Also, when dealing with a loss, internet trolls can emerge who are looking to upset those who are grieving. They might insult or deride the person you are grieving. It’s can be important to protect yourself from this kind of exposure.

Finally, remember self-care. It's vital to eat well, sleep enough, and stay active. Grieving is exhausting.

You're not alone in your sorrow, and it's okay to ask for help if you need it.

The Therapeutic Potential of Collective Mourning

If you've ever found solace in a public vigil or shared your sorrow online after a celebrity's death, you've experienced the therapeutic potential of collective mourning.

This communal grief can act as a catalyst for healing, allowing you to express your feelings in a supportive environment. It's a unique form of therapy, where you're not alone in your pain.

It's a shared experience, a collective understanding that grief is universal. It normalizes the emotions associated with loss, reducing feelings of isolation.

Moreover, collective mourning often triggers conversations about crucial topics like mental health, substance abuse, or societal issues, leading to increased awareness. Engage with the community as you feel comfortable. It’s important that you choose outlets that feel supportive and not hostile.

Conclusion

You're not alone in feeling deep sorrow after a celebrity death. Through parasocial relationships, these figures become part of our lives, making their loss deeply felt. Social media magnifies this grief, as we collectively mourn. It's important to recognize these feelings as valid and engage in self-care. Remember, there's potential for healing within this shared experience.

It's okay to grieve, and it's okay to seek support when the mourning process becomes overwhelming. Talking to a loved one or therapist can be helpful in overcoming grief. While the grief associated with the loss of a famous person is unlikely to require professional help, it can trigger feelings from the past or traumatic losses that were unprocessed. If you are feeling lost and don’t know what to do reach out today. Therapists at Larsen Behavioral Wellness are here to help you overcome the pain from a past or current loss.