With over 1.5 million followers on Twitter, sold-out shows and 5.2 million digital singles sold, hip-hop artist Kid Cudi, or Scott Mescudi as he’s known to family and friends, seems like a poster child for success.
Last night, the news broke that Kid Cudi has checked himself into rehab on Monday for suicidal urges and depression. In a detailed post on his Facebook page, Kid Cudi wrote “I am not at peace” about the struggles he has been privately wrestling with his whole career:
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.
He went on to write,
I can’t make new friends because of it. I don’t trust anyone because of it and I’m tired of being held back in my life. I deserve to have peace. I deserve to be happy and smiling. Why not me? I guess I give so much of myself to others I forgot that I need to show myself some love too. I think I never really knew how.
Kid Cudi’s authenticity is especially powerful considering the stigma and myths that surround the subject of depression for many within the black community. These myths, which experts say often reduce depression to a “case of the blues”, cause confusion and needless pain to people trying to navigate treatment or simply being honest with others about their struggles.
His statement on the reality of his battle, and the measures taken to prioritize his health and safety, is a huge testimony to the power of vulnerability given the reaction of his fan base and fellow industry peers, everyone from Victoria Justice and Pete Wentz, has been an outpouring of love, support and prayers.
Earlier, we spoke with Jamie Tworkowski, founder of To Write Love On Her Arms.
More than anything, I’m just glad that Scott is getting help. I hope taking this step changes his life and I certainly hope it saves his life. I hate that he feels ashamed–he mentions that several times in his statement–as if he’s doing something wrong or as if his pain is some sort of weakness.
The irony is that his statement and his choosing to get help is a demonstration of bravery and strength. And it makes it easier for other people to be honest about their pain and to ask for help.
I hope that over time, as Scott finds healing, the shame will fade and he can continue to be honest about his own humanity and recovery, because that’s how this stigma will go away, and that’s how things will change. It’s going to take all of us being open and honest about our struggles and our needs, all of us coming to a place of knowing that it’s okay to ask for help.”
