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(KRNB) – According to studies, black men are very slow to ask for help when it comes to mental health issues and the stigma surrounding them.
The outspoken and socially conscious Chicago entertainer, Chance the Rapper is doing his part to change that. Earlier this month he donated $1-million dollars to a new campaign that will help six charities address the problem.
Chance told the crowd at the launch event, “With the help of SocialWorks, we want to change the way that mental health resources are being accessed by you.”
The nonprofit organization also announced the launch of My State of Mind, which will focus on catering to the enrichment of mental health services, specifically in the Chicago area.
Chance has had his own battles with anxiety:
“I think anxiety is also something that I’m just now being exposed to. A really big conversation and idea that I’m getting introduced to right now is black mental health. ‘Cause for a long time that wasn’t a thing that we talked about. I don’t remember it. I don’t remember people talking about anxiety; I don’t remember, when I was growing up, that really being a thing.”
Other male celebrities are also speaking up about their own struggles including NFL player Brandon Marshall, who struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder. The battle prompted him to start a nonprofit Project 375.org…according to Diversity Inc.
And, Jay-Z has talked about how therapy helped him grow as a man, overcoming situations that he’s rapped about.
Read more here.
(Source: Diversity Inc)
