Megan Thee Stallion is here to talk about mental health.
Last fall the rapper launched Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too, a website that provides mental health resources, with an emphasis on reaching Black women.
Now she's filmed a powerful public service advertisement for Seize the Awkward, a campaign to help young people feel less alone.
The short spot features Megan Thee Stallion, whose given name is Megan Pete, talking about the pressure of holding it all together as a Black woman.
"'Black don't crack,' they say, but it can," she says. "I can. We all can."
She urges viewers to support loved ones who might be struggling and points them toward the Seize the Awkward website, which offers tips on having conversations about mental health with friends.
SEE ALSO: The 8 most impactful mental health moments of 2023 (so far)The campaign launched in 2018 as an initiative of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Jed Foundation, in collaboration with the Ad Council.
"It's important that we regularly check in on our friends and family and make sure to show empathy, encouragement, and love when they're struggling," Megan Thee Stallion said in a press release. "A strong support system can make a powerful difference in someone's life."
Research shows that while the percentage of Black and African Americans who report experiencing mental illness is similar to that of white Americans, the former group is less likely to receive mental health services than the latter. Additionally, the suicide rate of Black youth has spiked in recent years, even as it has decreased or remained stable for other populations.
Vic Armstrong, vice president for health equity and engagement at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, told Mashable that these trends illustrate the need for "tailored messages" that reach Black and brown communities, instead of relying on a "one size fits all" prevention model.
Armstrong described Megan Thee Stallion as an established mental health advocate to whom youth listen.
"There are some struggles that are common to all of us," Armstrong said, "but we also know that there are additional hurdles that face Black and brown communities, and that's exactly what Megan is speaking to."
If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.
