Is the answer to simply “leave Britney alone”?

Is Britney being mistreated and exploited?
Probably, yes.
Does she need help to manage her life and issues?
Probably, yes.

I listened to her whole statement. I hear her frustration, anger, overwhelm, and relief in finally speaking honestly and in being heard. I hear her state she’s depressed, traumatized, unable to sleep, cries constantly, and can’t trust anyone. I hear her unable to finish sentences and thoughts, being repetitive, and unable to slow down. But she’s also overwhelmed – and is not a public speaker.

Mental health is a very complex thing. A person certainly deserves to be heard and believed. A person needs to know they are capable, and be given chances to build their sense of agency. Sometimes that means making mistakes. But they also need to work with people they trust and be able to make choices about their health and well-being.

I highly doubt she needs this level of conservatorship, and I suspect she has been exploited and mistreated. This is not a healthy set up. But I also think yanking all structure and support away will not benefit her mental health. She repeatedly requests no psych evaluation, but if such a thing is possible, I would recommend a briefer evaluation, by an independent consultant. She needs to surround herself with health care she trusts and figure out if medication plays a role in her future treatment.

Good mental health isn’t complete independence. It isn’t completely leaning on others. Good mental health connects to others in a trusting way, leans on and lends support.

It’s connecting and building relationships somewhere in the uncomfortable middle ground.

And that is surely an even more complicated thing for a highly visible person that everyone feels they know.