Jamie Lynn Spears has defended her sister Britney, amid concerns for the singer’s wellbeing.
The actress took to Instagram to share the importance of respect when discussing mental illness, before fans demanded information about her older sister.
The Zoey 101 star shared a selection of tweets by other celebrities, including singer Halsey and actor Kevin McHale, who spoke out about mental illness in the public eye.
“If you can’t offer understanding or sympathy, offer your silence,” Jamie Lynn quoted Halsey.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC6H8DRAdb3/
“If you deal with mental illness or care for someone dealing with mental illness, then you know how important it is to respect the situation with privacy for the person, and the family trying to protect their loved ones, no matter how it may appear to the public, and as the public we must learn to do the same.”
“I pray this doesn’t bring shame to anyone dealing with mental illness, you are not alone, and you are loved.”
“Sending all my love and prayers to all of you♥️,” she concluded the post.
Jamie Lynn then hit back at an Instagram user, after they asked her to address her sibling’s “obvious mental illness” in the comment section.
“You have no right to assume anything about my sister, and I have NO right to speak about HER health and personal matters,” she responded, “She is a strong, badass, unstoppable woman, and that’s the only thing that is OBVIOUS.”
The actress was also asked to speak about the trending #FreeBritney movement, and she replied: “I would never speak out just to clarify things to the public, when the person it pertains to does not want that to happen.”
“I’d rather take all the hate, then speak about someone elses [sic] personal matter, that they want to keep private.”
Fans of the pop star recently got #FreeBritney trending worldwide once again, pushing to end her conservatorship following concerns for the singer’s well-being.
The 38-year-old has remained under conservatorship since 2008, which prevents her from legally controlling her life and assets.
Earlier this month, Britney seemingly responded to fans who are worried by her latest posts by writing on Instagram: “I get how some people might not like my posts or even understand them, but this is me being happy….. this is me being authentic and as real as it gets!!!!!”
“I want to inspire people to do the same and just be themselves without pleasing others ….. that’s the key to happiness ???????????????? !!!!!!”
Britney’s 12-year conservatorship, or legal guardianship, was approved by the court in 2008 after she suffered an alleged breakdown.
A conservatorship is granted to those who are incapable of making decisions, such as people with mental disabilities.
The conservatorship was previously controlled by her father Jamie, but he stepped down in September 2019 due to ongoing health issues.
Jamie was then replaced by Britney’s longtime care manager Jodi Montgomery.
The news comes after Halsey asked fans not to mock Kanye West, amid fears he’s in the middle of a serious bipolar episode.
On Monday, the singer tweeted: “Personal opinions about someone aside, a manic episode isn’t a joke. If you can’t offer understanding or sympathy, offer your silence.”
“No jokes right now. I have dedicated my career to offering education and insight about bipolar disorder and I’m so disturbed by what I’m seeing.”
“A lot of people you know probably have bipolar disorder and you aren’t aware of it. Taking this opportunity to make offensive remarks and villify people with mental illnesses is really not the way to go…this is the exact triggering shit that causes people to keep quiet about it.”
A lot of people you know probably have bipolar disorder and you aren’t aware of it. Taking this opportunity to make offensive remarks and villify people with mental illnesses is really not the way to go…this is the exact triggering shit that causes people to keep quiet about it
— h (@halsey) July 21, 2020
“You can hate someone’s actions or opinions without contributing to stigma that damages an entire community of sometimes vulnerable people all for a couple of laughs,” she continued.
“If you wanna think someone is an asshole, go ahead. Lots of people with mental illnesses are great. Lots of them are assholes. Because they are people. With nuanced personalities.”
“But making jokes specifically targeted towards bipolar hurts more than the 1 person your angry with.”
Halsey finished by signing off: “Sincerely, Human Being with a Decade Long Bipolar Diagnosis.”
you can hate someone’s actions or opinions without contributing to stigma that damages an entire community of sometimes vulnerable people all for a couple of laughs.
— h (@halsey) July 21, 2020
If you wanna think someone is an asshole, go ahead. Lots of people with mental illnesses are great. Lots of them are assholes. Because they are people. With nuanced personalities. But making jokes specifically targeted towards bipolar hurts more than the 1 person ur angry with.
— h (@halsey) July 21, 2020
