Michael Clifford Joins Bandmate On Therapy Couch: It’s Good News

Michael Clifford told us a few days ago that he had joined 5 Seconds of Summer bandmate Ashton Irwin in dealing with mental health issues. Irwin had previously admitted that he had suffered from depression and frequently uses his social media feeds to share positive messages and to encourage his young fans to look after their own mental health. Clifford shared his own issues with young fans during 5 Seconds of Summer’s show at Auburn Hills, Michigan.

During 5 Seconds of Summer’s show, guitarist and singer Michael told fans that he had spent some time seeing a therapist during a break on the band’s tour. According to the Daily Mail, Clifford explained that he was “fixing” some mental health issues.

“I was fixing some problems with my mental health. I just saw a therapist real quick on the break we had.”

Clifford and his bandmates Ashton Irwin, Calum Hood, and Luke Hemmings have legions of young fans across the world, and almost as soon as Michael made his revelations, 5 Seconds of Summer fans took to social media to demonstrate their support for the 19-year-old star.

One fan’s Twitter feed summed up the feelings of many when they said, “Michael is so brave for opening up to us about this… It’s nothing for him to be ashamed of.”

According to Sugarscape, Clifford played down the issue when 5 Seconds of Summer appeared on Good Morning America. Michael said his visiting a therapist was taken “out of context.”

“I think that was just a time last week where it was taken a little out of context. It was a thing that happened for me, and it’s all good now and we’re here to play music.”

In many ways, Clifford speaking about his issues in the wake of Irwin’s admissions should be seen as a good thing. By Michael and Ashton speaking openly about mental health issues, it shows fans that these illnesses can happen to anyone. It probably also indicates that Clifford and his bandmates are getting good advice and are dealing with their mental health issues before they become a huge problem.

History is littered with stories about celebrities who failed to deal with the pressures of celebrity. Tales of alcohol, drug misuse, and, all too often, suicide abound in the music business. Michael Clifford set a great example by dealing with his issues and by talking openly about it.

[Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images]