Pop culture is getting real. In the past couple of months, three big name artists—Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Selena Gomez—publicly faced mental health crises. Their responses have brought to light the often taboo reality that more than a quarter of Americans struggle with mental health every day.
Back in October, hip-hop artist Kid Cudi checked himself into rehab for suicidal thoughts and depression, writing that he felt “ashamed.” In an emotional Facebook post, he wrote:
“My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as long as I can remember,” adding that he felt like he’d “let a lot of people down” and that it was “time I fix me.” Cudi’s moment of vulnerability went viral.
In late November, West’s emotional health became national conversation when he checked himself into the hospital for psychological evaluation after some erratic behavior and the abrupt cancellation of his national tour.
Then that same week, Gomez took home the prize for best female rock/pop artist at the American Music Awards and used the opportunity to address fans struggling with brokenness. It was the first time she appeared publicly since canceling her 2016 world tour after she was diagnosed with lupus and suffered physical and emotional side effects from it.
“I had to stop,” she said during the emotional acceptance speech. “I had everything, and I was absolutely broken inside. I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down.”
