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Pete Davidson shares personal note about mental health and online bullying

The comedian has opened up in the past about being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder

Clémence Michallon
New York
Monday 03 December 2018 16:25 EST
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Pete Davidson speaks onstage at The Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe at Sony Studios on 27 August, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Pete Davidson speaks onstage at The Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe at Sony Studios on 27 August, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. ((Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images))

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Pete Davidson shared a personal note broaching the topic of mental health on his Instagram account on Monday.

The comedian, who has previously opened up about being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, said he has been bullied online and in public "for the past nine months".

"I've kept my mouth shut. Never mentioned any names, never said a word about anyone or anything," he wrote. "I'm just trying to understand how when something happens to a guy the whole entire world just trashes him without any facts or frame of reference."

Davidson didn't specify what the disparaging comments he has received were in reference to.

The Saturday Night Live cast member has been the subject of increased public scrutiny over the past few months due to his whirlwind romance with singer Ariana Grande.

Reports that the two were dating first emerged in May this year. Davidson confirmed their engagement in June and the pair split up in October.

Davidson added in his Instagram post: "I've been bullied online and in public by people for nine months.

"I've spoken about BPD and being suicidal publicly only in the hopes that it will help bring awareness and help kids like myself who don't want to be on this earth."

In October last year, Davidson discussed his borderline personality diagnosis in an SNL segment, urging viewers to seek medical treatment if they think they have depression.

The comedian also told Variety in an interview dating back to August that he contemplated suicide when he was younger.

He wrote on Instagram: "No matter how hard the Internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself. I won't.

"I'm upset I even have to say this. To all those holding me down and seeing this for what it is – I see you and I love you."

Davidson has taken steps back from social media in recent months, deleting all the photos from his account on two different occasions.

He explained in July this year, after removing all of his images for the first time, that he had chosen to do so because "the internet is an evil place".

For confidential support in the UK, contact the Samaritans at 116 123.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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