Kanye West recently opened up about his struggling mental health during his visit to Chicago on October 25. West visited the Open Mike event at his alma mater, Chicago’s Polaris Academy, to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of his hit album “The College Dropout.”
During his visit, West spoke candidly about his mental health issues, telling the audience he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Facing Mental Health Struggles
West revealed that he had been dealing with his mental health issues “for the past three years.” He told the audience that he was “put on but I wouldn’t be diagnosed with bipolar disorder [until] a year ago.” West has previously opened up about his struggles with depression, but this is the first time he’s spoken publicly about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Striving for Mental Health Awareness
At the end of his speech, West made a plea for more mental health awareness, saying, “We never had therapists in my family very often.” He said that he hopes “more people have access to programs and therapists [to] help them through their situations.”
West has advocated for mental health in the past, launching his own mental health initiative for students at the Chicago Scholars Foundation in July.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points and takeaways from West’s visit to Chicago:
- Kanye West opened up about his mental health struggles and revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
- He spoke candidly about his mental health issues, telling the audience he had been dealing with his mental health issues “for the past three years.”
- West advocated for mental health awareness and made a plea for more access to programs and therapists to help people with mental health issues.
- West has previously released his own mental health initiative for students at the Chicago Scholars Foundation.
West’s revelation about his own mental health issues highlights the importance of mental health awareness and increased access to mental health services. His message at Polaris Academy encourages people to seek help and support for their mental health struggles.
What other mental health struggles has Kanye West experienced?
In addition to his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, Kanye West has also spoken openly about his struggle with anxiety. He has also had thoughts of suicide and has discussed his use of medication to control these struggles. Additionally, he has talked openly about his mental health journey as it relates to his career in the music industry.
