The Hidden Mental Health Challenges of Adult Performers
The recent suicide of young adult performer Kagney Linn Karter was in the news in early February. I'm not sure why it affected me so deeply, but it really hit me hard at the time. She was the third performer to commit suicide within a span of six months. What I discovered was that adult performers, especially females, have an extremely high rate of suicide, with an average life expectancy of just 37 years old. While some performers have positive experiences in the industry, an equal or greater number report stigma, discrimination, and pressure to perform acts they aren’t comfortable with. It's not surprising that mental health issues are prevalent among adult performers.
What really frustrates me is the cavalier attitude many of us have towards the mental health of sex workers. These women put their bodies on display for the world to see, exposing some of the most intimate parts of themselves for public consumption, all while knowing the stigma associated with sex work. And yet, we still turn our backs on performers who attempt to leave the industry for a mainstream life.
A major obstacle for women to overcome is the stigma associated with the profession, even after they have stopped performing. Despite changing attitudes and increased acceptance of adult entertainment in mainstream culture, there is still significant stigma and judgment associated with those who work in the industry. This can lead to feelings of isolation and shame, contributing to mental health conditions. Karter's story is unfortunately not uncommon among former performers. A simple Google search will yield countless stories of being fired when a performer's past was discovered or being outright denied job opportunities despite being qualified. Living with the fear of being discovered can force many women back into performing, despite their best efforts to successfully transition.
Another factor that impacts the mental health of performers is the working conditions for many of them. Shooting porn often requires long hours of filming, often in high-pressure environments, and performers may be required to engage in acts that are physically and emotionally demanding. Additionally, performers may feel pressured to push their personal boundaries and engage in acts they are not comfortable with, causing additional discomfort and stress. While the regulatory environment is rapidly changing with the advent of online porn, there is still a long way to go. Since the 1988 California Supreme Court case, People vs. Freeman, which protected the first amendment rights for adult film production, little has been done to curb unethical behavior within the porn industry itself. Regulatory requirements have focused on protecting children from consuming pornographic material or being exploited, rather than on protecting the rights of sex workers themselves. Many countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, provide regulations to support sex workers with legal protections, including safer working conditions and access to health services.
In the documentary "Hot Girls Wanted," one performer discussed her experience going to set and being told that she didn’t have a choice in what she was performing because it was part of the script. She went on to say that this was a routine experience; her agent would be intentionally vague about the requirements of the film or she would be told if she didn’t comply, she would be replaced. With the prospect of not being able to pay her rent or provide for her basic needs, she would perform even if it was something she didn’t want to do. I think about the young, starry-eyed performers who enter the adult industry with dreams of making it big, and wonder if they really understand the full impact this work will have on their future or their mental health. It isn’t surprising that up to thirty percent of new performers will only make one film and leave the industry. Without a federated regulatory environment here in the US, curbing the abuse of performers would be challenging, if not impossible.
With the rise of online amateur porn, I believe mental health and sex work will become more widespread issues. Speaking with one online performer, the derogatory comments, objectification, and entitlement of subscribers all took a toll on her mental health. She stopped performing for a few months and utilized the services of a non-profit organization, Pineapple Support. Pineapple Support provides free mental health resources to adult entertainment performers, with kink-friendly, sex worker-friendly therapists for six months. Founded by ex-performer Leya Tanit, she was deeply impacted by a rash of suicides among her peers and took action. Pineapple Support helps thousands of performers who have accessed their network of therapists, online classes, or workshops. In addition, they run a 24/7 online emotional support platform that can be accessed anywhere. Their list of sponsors includes some well-known adult production companies like Brazzers, Porn Hub, and Chaturbate.
Ultimately, addressing the mental health of porn stars and online performers is not just a matter of compassion, but of human rights. Performers deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and to have access to the resources and support to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Ensuring the agency of performers, respecting their decisions at work, and supporting them to make informed choices about their lives is a step in the right direction. Creating a strong regulatory framework for adult film production would also help. What is baffling to me, though, is why we need regulations to recognize the inherent worth of an individual and to not be a fucking dick. My Momma always told me to treat people how I want to be treated. And I have to keep it real with you, some of your Mommas didn’t teach you the same lesson.
If you are an online adult performer and need mental health support, please reach out to Pineapple Support. https://pineapplesupport.org/
