JK Rowling condemns ‘life coaches’ pressuring people to be productive during lockdown

Author posted series of tweets about mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic

JK Rowling has criticised some social media users for “implying people are losers if they aren't learning a new skill” while on lockdown during the coronavirus crisis.

The author took to Twitter to accuse “life coaches” of “shaming” others, and argued that “endless distraction” cannot cure depression.

She wrote: “If you're a 'life coach' who's on here implying people are losers if they aren't learning a new skill/building a brand while on lockdown, maybe stop. People have challenges you know nothing about. Sometimes getting through something is more than enough.”

In another tweet, Rowling added: “Implying that people are lazy or unmotivated if they aren't knocking out masterpieces daily isn't inspiration, it's a form of shaming. If endless distraction cured depression, no rich person or workaholic would ever have killed themselves. Sadness and anxiety aren't weaknesses, they're a natural human response to difficulty and danger.

“Allowing ourselves to feel what we feel, and acknowledging that we have good reason to feel that way, is a better route back to good mental health than beating ourselves up for not being superhuman.”

Earlier this week, Rowling unveiled a new Harry Potter platform to help keep children entertained while on lockdown.

The website is aimed both at first-time readers and longtime fans of the Harry Potter book series, who might want to “feel the warmth of the fire in the Gryffindor common room or a much-needed hug from Mrs Weasley”.