October 16th, 2024, is the day that left fans worldwide in a shock. English singer and songwriter, Liam Payne, had passed away. While on vacation in Buenos Aires, several news sources reported that Payne had fallen off of his third-floor hotel room balcony. People were quick to take to the internet with their own perspectives and opinions on the situation. While most are in support of Payne, honoring both him and his life, others are divided on the topic.

Liam Payne’s ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, took to light her abusive relationship shared with the loved musician just months before the tragedy. While the news deemed Payne’s death as an accidental one, many suspicions arose as fans were claiming that he had actually taken his own life. In recent years, it has been known that Payne had been struggling mentally for a while, sensibly many being quick to bring this up in defense of the musician. With the current heat of the situation, some students from Saint Anselm College have been willing to share their insights and opinions on the musician’s passing.

Keira Doherty, class of 2028, claimed that when she found out she was “distraught as Liam was my favorite part of One Direction. Some part of me did not even believe it at first.” Another student named Zoë Henry-Hughes, class of 2028, stated that she “knew of their music and who they were, but I was never a big One Direction fan.” Many of the other students interviewed claimed to also be “distraught”, but the main response received in each interview was that people were “shocked to see his death, especially with how young he was. It felt sort of unreal,” says Danielle Riley, class of 2028.

Mental health in the general sense has been a very broad topic for many years. With the majority denying its importance, it is plausible to say that those who did struggle never received the help that they needed. Some other common misunderstandings regarding mental health are the overall struggles, specifically regarding the male population. Male mental health has recently become a more commonly brought up topic, as it has been ignored for a very long time. It is something that has been overlooked coming from the social stigma surrounding it.

Within a traditional society, men are often seen as strong and powerful figures. When talking about the battles that men face mentally, it begins to break that imagery, being seen as weak instead of being comforted. Following Liam’s death, many were quick to point out how the only reason his past with mental health received news coverage was due to his social status and large fanbase. These additions were also believed to be linked to Payne’s mental health due to the stress that fame can bring. The concept of being famous has been linked to mental health for a very long period of time and is not a new issue. This has been seen before with the similar deaths of several other celebrities, many of those being male. Between the worship that celebrities get from fans and constantly being watched through media coverage, there can be a huge load of pressure put onto them. It is as if they must succeed in order to continue to be loved and followed, due to the public knowing when they make a wrong move. As celebrities often lead very public lives, this is a realistic struggle for many to overcome. The fame they receive can often lead to isolation, a loss of genuine connection, and a detachment from emotions. This seems to be the case for Liam Payne’s passing, all of the pressure possibly getting to him much more severely than before.

The overall negative stigma around the topic of mental health could possibly be the main cause of those struggling not reaching out for help when they need it. This event pushed the topic of mental health, and its importance, out even further into the media. Hopefully, this continues to allow many more to step forward about their own struggles with mental health in support of the musician. Reaching out and getting help can be the first step to recovery for many, and it should never be the last. While it may feel as though recovery may never be an achievable milestone in people’s lives, it is very much possible.

For students of Saint Anselm College, know that there are always resources on campus to best help support you. Health services, in the lower level of the Student Center, offers 24/7 emergency counseling services that can be accessed and called at any point. If ever needed, please pick up the phone and call (603) 641-7000 because help is always available.