K Naomi apologises for saying she ‘hates bipolar people’

Model and TV presenter K Naomi (Keitumetse Naomi Noinyane) has come under fire for saying that she hates bipolar people.

In the offending tweet, which was posted just after 1am and has since been deleted, K Naomi tweeted: “I hate bipolar people… You can’t always switch up, choose your vibes and be about them.”

She immediately began trending during the early hours of Wednesday morning and was met with anger from people who had been diagnosed with some or other mental disorder as well as their friends and family.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't offended. @tnvenge is right. As a person who is going through the worst kind of depression & anxiety, I am angry at what she said. Those kinds of tweets can be so triggering & can lead to worse tragedies but sound off K Naomi. https://t.co/eK3zy81r0M

— Ayanda Sishi Wigzell (@AyandaTankiso) June 19, 2019

When K Naomi was suffering from depression, nobody told her to "choose her vibe". She got the help she needed.

Whether or not she was referring to bipolar disorder, this tweet was insensitive and hurtful to anyone suffering from the mental illness. https://t.co/yFODhvMfqe pic.twitter.com/c42PdznufT

— Tinashe Venge (@tnvenge) June 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/Ms_Comfy/status/1141210902718533632

Her tweets even solicited a response from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).

You're right, Bipolar Disorder is a real medical illness just like Diabetes and Hypertension. No one says "I hate Diabetic people". We need less hate around mental illness and more understanding and acceptance #MentalHealthMatters

— SADAG (@TheSADAG) June 19, 2019

She later apologised but not before she became South Africa’s number one trending topic on Twitter.

While many understood that she was using the word bipolar in reference to people who are inconsistent and moody, they still took offence with her callous use of the word as a substitute.

Apologies to everyone about my previous post. My intention wasn’t to offend anyone…
I should have used different wording.

I was just trying to say that I’m tired of people who always switch up. It’s either we vibe or we don’t…

Apologies 🙏🏽

— K Naomi👑 (@KNaomi_N) June 19, 2019

Sincere apologies 🙏🏽♥️

— K Naomi👑 (@KNaomi_N) June 19, 2019

I am totally aware and know where I was wrong. This is a lesson for me to think before I tweet and to never tweet when I’m angry 🙏🏽 Apologies again. https://t.co/odgx0b6zGo

— K Naomi👑 (@KNaomi_N) June 19, 2019

Some even used the conversation to teach others to use the right words when it comes to mental disorders.

https://twitter.com/SlooPhaho/status/1141245792885313536

https://twitter.com/ms_fleurr/status/1141238711016968192

I don't think we think about K Naomi enough to have an agenda against her firstly.

Secondly, we know what she meant. But we've had several chats as reducing what she meant to being bipolar. It's offensive. Simply

— Ole (@BadvocateO) June 19, 2019

When contacted for comment, K Naomi apologised once again and admitted that she used the wrong words to get her point across.

“I’m so sorry to everyone I have offended with my tone-deaf tweet on bipolar and persons affected by the illness. My comment was not meant to offend, but rather to vent about people I found to be moody and inconsistent towards me. I used the wrong descriptor to carry my point across and for this, I am extremely sorry.”

She also addressed her own struggles with mental health.

“As someone who has suffered from depression, I know too well the difficulties experienced by persons suffering from mental illness. I regret offending everyone and I do agree that some education on my part is necessary. I’m sorry.”

READ NEXT: A bare look at bipolar disorder

(Compiled by Kaunda Selisho)

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