The last few posts here at Celebrity Psychings have spawned some interesting comments and conversation about the responsibilities of celebrities – specifically, whether or not they have a responsibility to “watch what they say,” for lack of a better phrase, and whether or not we actually have grounds for expecting them to do so.

However, a few weeks ago, AP Sports Columnist John Leicester wrote an article that turns the tables on us.

“Do Fans Drive Our Sports Heroes To Despair?” takes a look at the kinds of negative impacts a sports fan’s reactions to an athlete’s performance has on said athlete, as well as the kinds of negative impacts an athlete’s own thoughts, expectations, and perceptions bring himself. Among the fact that injuries can sometimes compound an athlete’s depression and the ill advice of doctors (one doctor supposedly told British football player Stan Collymore, who was suffering from depression, to “score a couple of goals” to feel better), Leicester cited the recent suicide of Germany’s goalkeeper Robert Enke, stating:

Demanding fans aren’t to blame for the suicide this week of Germany’s goalkeeper Robert Enke. But living in the public eye, subject to adulation one minute and scorn the next, can make depression harder for sports people to bear. In mourning Enke, football and the millions who follow it would be wise to examine their roles in such tragedies.

“In mourning Enke, football and the millions who follow it would be wise to examine their roles in such tragedies.”

Can we really expect people – aside from doctors, of course – to think twice about what they say in order to avoid possibly contributing in some way to the depression, anxiety, or despair of others? Or, are we to expect others to be responsible for utilizing the advice many therapists give us: That it’s not what others say or do that makes us feel a certain way; rather, it’s how we interpret what they’ve said or done.

For both the Kate Moss and the Morrissey situations, there doesn’t seem to be one dominating opinion: In a nutshell, roughly half of commenters feel these celebrities do have a responsibility to check some of their more non-PC comments at the door, while the other half feels that a) these celebrities shouldn’t have to avoid expressing their own opinions, beliefs, or ideas in order to also avoid public outrage, b) these celebrities and what they say should in no way be thought responsible for the actions of others, or c) both.

Now I want to know what you expect of yourselves.

Is Leicester right? Would we be wise to take a look at our own roles in such tragedies? Is it our responsibility?

Whether you’re screaming disappointment at your baseball team’s pitcher or insults at the latest actress to fall from grace, do you believe you’re in the right? Or do you think you should watch what you say in order to not add to their misery?

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (December 3, 2009)

    Last reviewed: 3 Dec 2009