Sinead O'Connor Discusses Mental Illness On Facebook After Going Missing Sunday Near Chicago

By Rachel Cromidas in News on May 17, 2016 2:24PM

A day after Sinead O'Connor was reported missing from her residence in the suburb of Wilmette, and later found safe by police, the singer discussed her struggle with mental illness in a Facebook post.

O'Connor was declared a missing person by authorities after she went out from a bicycle ride early Sunday morning in Wilmette, a North Shore suburb of Chicago, and did not return. O'Connor was found Monday afternoon. A few hours later she posted a Facebook update addressed to her family members who called authorities. She says her family members have abandoned her and abused her, and that she would take legal action against them.

"Suicidal ideation expressed by me is NOT as you call it 'manipulative,'" she wrote in the post, which is no longer publicly viewable, according to NBC. "All you did is accuse me falsely."

The post continues:

"Your understanding of my medical situation is medieval. I intend to bring every one of you to court for pushing me to the brink of death over and over. And being so disappointed when you fail. You have BRUTALISED me all my life. Just as my mother was Brutalise [sic]. You never asked yourselves whether your abuse would cost my two young sons their mother. It did. I had to flee here to America just to try and live. Leaving everything and everyone I knew. Such is the fate of Irish people with mental illnesses."

"Guess what guys, I am not, nor have I ever been the sick person in this scenario. YOU GUYS ARE. And I'm very happy that I am not well adjusted to your profoundly sick society. I'm sorry to disappoint you by not being dead. But hey... Continue your medieval abandonment of me (Your ill family member) and you just never know. Your wish may come true. You are revolting every one of you. And now I understand what my poor mother suffered."

O'Connor, who is Irish, has reportedly been living in Wilmette with friends since January. She has discussed suicide and family troubles in previous Facebook posts, and said in a 2007 interview that she attempted suicide on her 33rd birthday, in 1999.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone, remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt, and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.