Yesterday saw Jesy Nelson, one fourth of Little Mix, announce her decision to leave the band. She posted a candid statement on social media explaining that she found the constant "pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard", adding that being in the band has "taken a toll on [her] mental health".
Jesy also told fans, "There comes a time in life where we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focussing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process."
It can't have been easy for the singer to make such a life-changing step and to speak about it so publicly and with such honesty – and mental health charity, Mind, have now praised Jesy for her bravery too.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK about the importance of prioritising your mental health, Stephen Buckley, the charity's Head of Information, said, "We applaud Jesy’s openness in highlighting her experiences of mental health. At Mind we know that when those in the public eye speak about mental health, it encourages others to do the same – as many as 1 in 5 people have spoken to a loved one as a direct result of seeing a celebrity speak out."
He added, "This continues to prove how vital it is that people in the public eye, like Jesy, continue to speak honestly about mental health experiences."
Buckley also highlighted just how common mental health issues can be, adding that one in four people will experience one each year, but said that stigma still prevents many from seeking the help they need. "Sadly because of the stigma which surrounds [mental health difficulties], many people feel unable to speak out about what they are going through. Shared experiences of recovery can prompt people to ask for support and often helps them feel less alone, sparking conversations that may otherwise never have happened."
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In terms of reaching out for support, Buckley encourages anybody who is struggling with their mental health to speak to a doctor, or visit the Mind website for more information. "If you notice changes to your mood, thoughts or behaviour, and they are impacting your daily life and last longer than two weeks, or keep coming back, speak to a GP. Your doctor should be able to provide information on a range of treatments, such as exercise, talking therapies or medication."
Jesy's bandmates, Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, also shared a statement in support of Jesy, adding that they would continue to make music together as a threesome. On Instagram they wrote, "This is an incredibly sad time for all of us but we are fully supportive of Jesy. We love her very much and agree that it is so important that she does what is right for her mental health and well-being."
We're wishing Jesy all the best as she plans her new life away from the band.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or contemplating suicide, call the Samaritans helpline at any time, on 116 123. For more information on where to get mental health support for you or someone you know, call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
