A petition demanding a change in the law in light of the tragic death of Liam Payne has passed 100,000 signatures, meaning it will now be debated by politicians in the UK
Devastated fans have been signing a petition to enforce "Liam's Law" following the shock death of the 31-year-old, and now that there have 100,000 signatures, this ensures it will be considered for debate by lawmakers.
The young One Direction singer met a tragic fate when he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last week.
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Prior to his untimely demise, Liam had been candid about his battles with sobriety and mental health.
In hindsight, the singer had highlighted the necessity for support services dedicated to assisting young musicians coping with the pressures of stardom and public life. Although the industry lacked such protections during his lifetime, Liam’s passionate fans hope his passing can catalyse this vital change.
A fan-initiated campaign on change.org seeks to establish Liam's Law, aimed at reinforcing safeguards for entertainers' mental health. The petition initially sought 12,000 backers—yet now has exceeded the pivotal tally of 100,000 signatures, compelling politicians to potentially deliberate this matter in Parliament.
The plea on the petition's webpage reads: "In 2021 Liam advocated for a support system to be put in place for young artists' going through the industry. He spoke about his own struggles and the need for there to be care in place to safeguard artists' mental health. Ultimately, I am angry and saddened that the industry has let him down.", reports the Mirror.
The fan pledged support to realise Liam's dream, saying: "The entertainment industry, acclaimed for its glamour and stardom, is equally infamous for the enormous pressure it exerts on the mental health of artists. Resultant issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and even suicide are alarmingly high. According to research, performers are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from these issues compared to the general population."
They added, in light of the tragic death of Liam and others, that the entertainment industry must be held accountable for the welfare of their artists. The fan urged lawmakers to enact legislation to protect artists' mental health, detailing: "Such a law would necessitate regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career. It will ensure a healthier, safer, and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents reducing psychological distress."
The petition also highlights the need for early intervention to prevent tragedies, stating: "This would also include early interventions to protect and minimise before it's too late. Furthermore, the increasing rate of musicians who die before the age of 35, is concerning. We need to act now! " It adds that by signing, people can make a difference, saying: "Your signature could be a lifeline for these talented individuals, contributing to a larger movement of mental health awareness and care in industries worldwide."
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