Kelsey championed mental health on WTA tonight and I’m so appreciative of that.

I’m a therapist and also a human who has experienced lifelong struggles with depression, anxiety, and ADHD (undiagnosed until just over a year ago). I’ve also had periods in my life during which I overused alcohol and marijuana to cope. I listen to clients all day long describe what it’s like to have family and friends invalidate or shame them for their emotions and I see how such treatment exacerbates their existing emotional problems.

I’m so appreciative of Kelsey on tonight’s WTA and how she truly championed mental health. She called out Tammy for how her words could be shaming to people within BN who have drinking problems, and she also talked about how allowing oneself to be emotionally vulnerable is so important for not just women, but men too. This girl tackled mental health stigma, emotional vulnerability, and toxic masculinity eloquently and in just a handful of sentences.

I was appalled to see how much some of the other women attacked and shamed Kelsey for her emotions and how much Tammy continued to double down on her attacks tonight (her eye rolling was disgusting). But Kelsey stood her ground and came off as a class act while conveying an important message about mental health and emotions. Bravo, girl.

Edit: Would like to say that those who have commented that Kelsey didn’t conduct herself well during the season are correct. I don’t disagree at all. But I was happy to hear her own that during WTA and I was also just excited to hear some discussion of mental health on a show where that typically doesn’t happen. It is of course not okay to treat people poorly and then excuse it as being emotional. Kelsey has some work to do yet in terms of managing her emotions and not allowing them to be in the “driver’s seat.” Lashing out at others isn’t okay, and I didn’t mean to imply that it is. But I think an imperfect person can still convey an important message.

Also, my first awards ever, thank you so much. I love that! 😉