Earlier this week, famous rapper Kid Cudi released a heart-wrenching statement on Facebook. Within the post, Cudi tells fans about the depression he has suffered from for years and how he has finally accepted help and checked himself into rehab. This is incredible; however, he then apologizes multiple times in the post which made me sit back and reflect. Why would he apologize for a mental illness that he can not control? Then it occurred to me, society has manipulated mental illness survivors to believe that it's just them, it's just a bad day, or they are just being "dramatic". Society has caused a lack of empathy for those who endure and it is hazardous to so many people.
"Its been difficult for me to find the words to what I'm about to share with you because I feel ashamed. Ashamed to be a leader and hero to so many while admitting I've been living a lie."
I tear up every time I read his opening statement. It is so humbling but so full of self-hatred. He said he is ashamed to be looked up to by so many fans, he felt as if him hiding his mental illness from everyone automatically made him a lesser human being. A leader and hero do not need to be perfect, unflawed within the eyes of their peers. They must be strong. Not in strength like Superman, but emotionally strong. They must be able to look at the obstacles they have overcome and have the strength to preserver.
However, society teaches us to be happy, productive members of the world and not show any form of meekness in the fear that it might make others feel the same. We are taught that not being okay is exactly what it is, not okay. We are shown that men with emotions are "wimps" and "have no backbone". We hear to be the very best you that you can be, but watch as we get degraded for accepting and loving ourselves. We are taught to speak up and change the world, while society also pushes us to the ground and kicks us while we are down. They marginalize people who deviate from their mold of "normal" to be considered different, who need to "cheer up" because "it's all in their heads".
Individuals with mental illnesses are tired of hearing:
"It's all in your head"
"You're just lazy"
"Why are you so tired?"
"Maybe you shouldn't sit in your room all the time - no wonder you're 'depressed'"
"You don't have anxiety, you're just being crazy"
"You don't look like you're sick"
No one should feel victimized by something that they can not control and feel the need to apologize for being themselves.Individuals with mental illnesses did not choose to live with it, do not want to live with it, and most importantly, do not want to be judged for something they have absolutely no control over.
