On Tuesday, October 4, the famous American recording artist Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi–better known by his stage name Kid Cudi–made a statement on Facebook that unveiled the truths in his life, hitting many of his fans very hard emotionally. Cudi wrote,

"Yesterday I checked myself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges. I am not at peace. I haven't been since you've known me. If I didn't come here, I would've done something to myself. I simply am a damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions everyday of my life. Theres a ragin violent storm inside of my heart at all times. Idk what peace feels like. Idk how to relax. 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 can't make new friends because of it. I don't trust anyone because of it and Im tired of being held back in my life."

Throughout all of Cudi's music it is easy to tell that they are not simply beats, rhythm, and a rap to bump just because, but rather, Cudi's music is an open door to his own personal struggles and unrest. Cudi not only has a solid fan base because of the material he creates, but also because of the relational aspect he exhibits in the way he carries himself and his music.

However, through all of his creativity, his honesty truly opened a very necessary discussion this past week. Everyone knows depression is a regular occurrence in the lives of people around the world everyday; however, there is not much discussion about it at all. In fact, those who have depression are often looked down upon as an "unreachable" or even "untouchable" crowd, as some believe that those who have depression will never be able to pull themselves out of the trenches of this overwhelming illness.

Craig Jenkins of Vulture states, "As a community that demands realism and prizes triumph, hip-hop ought to be a place where a battle like Kid Cudi’s is respected and supported, and where his moments of self-sabotage are recognized in the long shadow of his very honestly sad music as different manifestations of the same disorder. Instead, it is a place where emotion is thought to connote softness, and trembling at personal distress signifies weakness. It is a place where Drake, the era’s premiere sentimentalist, still has to crack a few skulls on record to show the fellas he’s tough. It is a place where news of Kim Kardashian getting tied up and robbed in her Paris hotel room is met not with shock and sympathy, but with suspicion, laughs, memes, and gripes..."

Although a lot of positive messages were sent to Cudi in response to his confession, what kind of sick world is it when he makes such a statement and it is also immediately met with harsh criticisms, accusations, and complete drivel of his weak being and privileged lifestyle. What kind of message is this sending to every other person struggling with depression? That they display weakness toward what society has to hand them, that they are incapable to handle their own emotions, and that they are completely useless to this world?

"The stigma around admitting you’re depressed remains a barrier to recovery."

How do we expect people to admit their struggles if we constantly throw hand grenades of negativity at their disposition and pleas for help? It is important to continuously encourage a society where we are accepting of those who want to feel free to express their deepest emotions and those that need relief and liberation from their innermost struggles.

So in conclusion to Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 2-8), let us keep these issues addressed year round with understanding towards those who are constantly improving themselves in therapy, the tens of millions of people in the United States that live with mental illness, and to all of those that do not have the strength to share their mental battles yet.

If you are feeling completely overwhelmed, depressed, and unable to carry out the activities that drive your passion in life, do not hesitate to seek help. These feelings should not be brushed aside. Please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website at www.nami.org, or for screenings in your local area, www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org. Life is not meant to be lived this way.

Link to Craig Jenkin's article on Vulture:

http://www.vulture.com/2016/10/kid-cudi-started-an...