Netizens Slam Jacky Wu For Saying Depression Is "Caused By Discontentment”

In that episode, stylist Lee Ming Chuan was sharing that he used to suffer from insomnia and depression. However, his condition improved after he started taking up flower arrangement. So, he had gone on the show to share his story, in hope that he could be of some help to viewers in the same predicament.

After hearing Ming Chuan’s words, Jacky immediately commented, “Why are you depressed? I’ll tell you [this], everyone who suffers from depression, listen carefully, this is the reason for depression, after you understand this, you will pass this stage, it’s all because of, listen to this well, get yourself ready, it’s all because of ‘discontentment’. In life, you must focus on the things you have, instead of the things that you’ve lost, isn’t that right.”

Jacky’s rambling statement did not sit well with netizens, who took to social media to criticise the 57-year-old for “stigmatising depression”. They shared that Jacky’s comments might cause those suffering from depression to fear seeking help.

“Don’t continue to perpetuate the labels that society has put on those suffering from depression. They already have it hard, do you think stigmatising mental illnesses is a laughing matter?” read one of the comments.

Realising the backlash his comments have caused, Jacky held a live stream on March 12 to address the issue.

He urged everyone to “watch the episode in full”, saying, “I have so many friends who are suffering from depression, [and] I told them that they have to look on the bright side, and refrain from overthinking [things, because] they still have so many people who love them.”

He also emphasised that he had discussed the contents of the show with the producers before it went live, saying that it was so that “we could let everyone have the correct perspective, [that] you still have to live on”.

“We're not doctors, only doctors know the way to treat it. Psychologically, you have [to listen to] these good friends, who’ll tell you that if you’re depressed, you have to look on the bright side, [and] go outside more, with all of us,” Jacky continued.

The host also acknowledged that he had seen the comments asking him to apologise, but he does not see the need to do so.

“I wasn’t laughing at the misfortune of others, why should I have to apologise? I didn’t do anything [wrong]. When will cyberbullying come to an end?” he asked rhetorically. He also stressed that he had not misspoken, and that he often comforted his friends in the same manner.

Later that night, Ming Chuan made a post online addressing the issue, writing, “I sincerely believe that Jacky was merely hoping for me to become better, which was why he said those words. After all, we’ve known each other for over 10 years. I won’t take it to heart. Why don’t we all bid goodbye to ‘discontentment’, and welcome ‘contentment’ [from now on].”

He then ended his post with a short statement, sharing what depression is to him.

“To me, depression is not something that you will recover from. It’s just like a cold. When your emotional immunity is weak, [depression] will come knocking on your door. But once you learn how to get along with it, you’ll find that it’s not so hateful,” he wrote.