Mental Health in the Adult Industry: Leya Tanit on Ending Isolation & Stigma
- MelRose Michaels
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
SWCEO Interviews Leya Tanit
Blog Post Written By: MelRose Michaels
Creating adult content can be empowering—but it can also be isolating, emotionally exhausting, and mentally draining. Between navigating stigma, managing burnout, and juggling the constant demands of content creation, many sex workers and independent creators are left asking the same question: Where can I turn for real support?
In a recent Twitter Space conversation, MelRose Michaels sits down with Leya Tanit, founder and CEO of Pineapple Support, to explore how her organization is helping adult creators prioritize their mental health, access affordable therapy, and find community in an industry that too often feels disconnected.
MelRose Michaels: Today’s guest is someone whose work has literally saved lives. In an industry where isolation, burnout, and stigma are all too common, Leya Tanit decided that wasn’t acceptable. After personal losses in her community, she founded Pineapple Support—now the go-to resource for mental health in the adult industry. With 20+ years of experience both in front of and behind the camera, she brings deep empathy and real solutions. Today, we’re talking about everything from fighting isolation to shaking off shame—and how to actually get help.
Leya Tanit: Thanks so much for having me. It’s an absolute honor.
MelRose Michaels: Can you give us some background on how you came to create Pineapple Support?
Leya: I’ve been part of the industry since I was legally able to, and a member of the BDSM community since I was 16. The adult industry has always felt like home. After the tragic loss of five well-known creators in 2017–2018, I started researching and found just how widespread mental health struggles are in our community. Traditional mental health services just weren’t cutting it. That’s when I founded Pineapple Support.
MelRose Michaels: What were some of the biggest mental health challenges that made you realize something needed to change?
Leya: Initially, I assumed the main issues would be sexual trauma or drug use. But when we started collecting data, we found that wasn’t the case. The top issues we see now include ADHD, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, stress, and PTSD. The pandemic had a massive impact. In 2020, anxiety and depression among our clients spiked to nearly 80%.
MelRose Michaels: Do you think the shift to independent content creation has helped or hurt creators' mental health?
Leya: It's a bit of both. Independence brings flexibility and freedom, which is great for people with ADHD. But it also brings a lack of structure, discipline, and community—which can lead to burnout and isolation. The influx of new creators during COVID-19, many of whom underestimated the workload, only amplified these stressors.
MelRose Michaels: What would you recommend for creators struggling with isolation?
Leya: Isolation is a big issue, even for creators with thousands of fans. My advice is: have a space where you can be unapologetically yourself. If you can’t attend events or conferences, there are online communities and forums. Pineapple runs support and community groups in places like Colombia and Romania, with plans to expand. It’s about finding your people—folks who understand and accept you.
MelRose Michaels: Let’s talk about stigma. How does that affect creators’ mental health?
Leya: Stigma is the reason Pineapple Support exists. If there weren’t stigma, people could access any therapist without fear of judgment. But when the world—from family to banks to doctors—forces you to hide who you are, it chips away at your identity and self-worth. We all wear masks to fit in, but over time, that can become a heavy burden.
MelRose Michaels: That resonates. I’ve spent years trying to unmask and be my authentic self. When you finally find people you can fully be yourself around, life feels lighter.
MelRose Michaels: What does the process of working with Pineapple look like? How can creators reach out?
Leya: Visit pineapplesupport.org. We ask for proof that you’ve been active in the industry for at least six months—this can be a link to your socials, a site, or a contract. Once verified, we connect you with the right resources. The process is secure and HIPAA-compliant.
We recently reduced our waitlist from 230 to under 30. While therapy is free, we ask clients to contribute what they can. This not only helps us support more people but also helps clients feel invested in their own journey.
MelRose Michaels: For folks who aren’t ready for therapy, what can they do right now to feel more stable?
Leya: It might sound cliché, but movement and nature are powerful. Go for a walk. Meditate—whatever that looks like for you. Get creative with art or dance. Practice self-care and self-parenting: do the laundry, open the bills, eat the frog (aka do the hardest task first). And drink water!
MelRose Michaels: How do you make sure the therapists you work with are truly sex work-friendly?
Leya: We vet every therapist through a multi-step process: reviewing licensure, insurance, and responses to questions about sex-positivity. Then we conduct a 45-minute interview to assess their understanding and attitude. We only bring on therapists who align with our values and community needs.
MelRose Michaels: What would you want someone to take away from this conversation if they’re struggling?
Leya: You are not alone. There are people who care. Whatever you’re feeling will pass. Asking for help is brave. We’re pack animals—we’re not meant to go through life alone.
MelRose Michaels: Yes. I can’t tell you how many times just making it through to the next day made everything better. Time doesn’t always heal, but it helps you process.
Leya: You can find us at @PineappleYSW on Twitter/X and Instagram, and at pineapplesupport.org.
Some parts of the above interview have been condensed or edited for clarity. For the full interview, listen to the entire Twitter space.
P.S. If this conversation resonated with you, we invite you to join our CEO Society—a free, private community for adult creators to connect, share, and support each other.
💜 And remember: support is not a luxury. It's a lifeline.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the interview are those of the guest speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SexWorkCEO or MelRose Michaels. Anything said or written is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone else.
Comentários