Health

Kid Cudi's Facebook Post Did Something Huge to Fight the Stigma of Depression

October 5th 2016

Rapper and actor Kid Cudi made an important public revelation about his ongoing battle with depression: he's checking himself into a facility to treat his anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

His viral Facebook post, which has been shared more than 80,000 times, gives insight into the reality of suffering from anxiety and depression, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi explained the shame he feels about his depression and anxiety, but despite that feeling, he is going to seek treatment for himself and for his family.

"It took me a while to get to this place of commitment, but it is something I have to do for myself, my family, my best friend/daughter and all of you, my fans.
"Yesterday I checked myself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges.
"I am not at peace."

Facebook/Kid Cudi - facebook.com

He described how his anxiety and depression have ruled his life.

"My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as long as I can remember and I never leave the house because of it. I cant (sic) make new friends because of it. I dont (sic) trust anyone because of it and Im (sic) tired of being held back in my life. I deserve to have peace."

Mescudi finished the post by promising that his new album is still on the way, and that he will be back stronger. However he says he still feels "so ashamed" about his mental health issues.

"If all goes well ill be out in time for Complexcon and ill be lookin forward to seeing you all there for high fives and hugs.
Love and light to everyone who has love for me and I am sorry if I let anyone down. I really am sorry. Ill be back, stronger, better. Reborn. I feel like shit, I feel so ashamed. Im sorry."

Facebook/ Kid Cudi - facebook.com

Facebook users were very supportive in the comments and encouraged him not to be ashamed of his struggle with depression.

Facebook/Kid Cudi - facebook.com

Facebook/Kid Cudi - facebook.com

Facebook/ Kid Cudi - facebook.com

The shame that Mescudi feels about his mental health issues is a common obstacle for people with anxiety and depression. Shame and stigma associated with mental health issues are particularly important obstacles for black men.

Back in August, a social media campaign used the hashtag #ItsOkayToTalk to encourage men to discuss mental health issues.

Although depression and anxiety are stereotypically discussed as female problems men die of suicide 3.5 times more often than women.

ATTN: also previously reported on the stigma against treating mental health issues in the black community.

Seminary professor Monica Coleman discussed struggling with depression in the black community with BeliefNet in 2011.

Coleman said that someone told her that being a descendant of slavery should help her overcome her depression.

"No, depression isn’t human trafficking, genocide, or slavery, but it is real death-threatening pain to me," Coleman said to BeliefNet. "And, of course, there are those who did not survive those travesties. But that comment just made me feel small and selfish and far worse than before. It made me wish I had never said anything at all."

After the passage of the Affordable Care Act more than 2 million black Americans have received insurance coverage, according to WNYC. However overcoming the stigma to seek treatment for mental health issues remains challenging. Francis Dixon was a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey and directed the church's social services. He said that people didn't want to be seen talking to him about mental health issues.

“I was told that when I came on as director of social services, people in the congregation did not want to be seen talking to me, because it would be assumed they might be experiencing an issue,” Dixon told WNYC last year.

You can read Kid Cudi's post and the comments on his Facebook page.

RELATED: Why the Black Community Has a Fraught Relationship With Therapy

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