![]() Mix dough ingredients together in a pan and heat until doughy, stirring all the time. And these squishy balloon balls are so easy to make at home! What you need They will have as much fun making this project as they will have playing with them afterwards. Sonya Davie is a licensed mental health counselor and certified health and life coach who works in private practice in New York City.This is a fun project to do with the kids. As the conversation in Hip-Hop continues, hopefully therapy will become a viable option. ![]() A therapeutic environment is ideal because it ensures their information is confidential, with laws that are in place to protect their privacy. Our male rappers need to feel comfortable with exploring the pain associated with their lyrics. In our community we hear ‘man up’ or ‘toughen up.’ It leads to depression or taking your own life.” The safe and supportive environment needed for Black men to talk or receive therapy has to continue to be a priority. He said, “We don’t know where to get help. ![]() Rapper Stalley shared that artists are handling mental health issues by self-medication but they are open to therapy. There is tremendous pressure for Black men to have all the answers, usually with little to no guidance or mentoring. Off with the phone and I get my mind right.” “Working out is my time to clear my head. He went on to share that his stress reliever is exercise. In a recent interview with rapper Chi-Ali, he shared the pressures that male rappers face specifically because they are always in the spotlight. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Research on depression, anxiety and exercise shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also help improve mood and reduce anxiety.” Regular exercise or the lack thereof can be a big contributor to mental wellness. In 2014, hip-hop artist Pharoahe Monch released his album PTSD in which he candidly shared his battle with depression that was induced by his prescribed asthma medication. Rapper Vic Mensa told BuzzFeed News, “Self-medication is the name of the game in the culture of young black men in Hip-Hop.” Instead of working through the tough emotions, they may avoid them by substance abuse and becoming emotionally numb. They’re fighting depression and anxiety with alcohol and the illegal use of drugs like the benzodiazepine, Xanax. Some male artists are resorting to self-medication. This is an example of the effects of trauma long after the experience occurs. Kanye West’s emotional breakdown and hospitalization in October 2016 was reported to be caused by the approaching anniversary of the death of his mother on November 10, 2007. Some of the long-term problems include feelings of helplessness, shame, sleep problems/nightmares, substance abuse, suicidal thinking and attempts, depression, hypervigilance, anxiety, and explosive anger. It’s a diagnosis that has often referred to military personal or first responders, but anyone can suffer from it. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is defined as “a set of emotional problems that can occur after someone has experienced a terrible, stressful life event.” Not everyone that experiences trauma suffers from PTSD. Often times with the pressure to appear strong and in control, men mask their trauma and the stresses that follow. It was not uncommon for me to hear, “I never told anybody this but…” They continue to confirm the critical need to open this forum. The discomfort that they anticipated was often replaced with relief at how comfortable they were in expressing their feelings. ![]() Primarily from underrepresented populations in New York City, these were not men who were exposed to, or would readily request counseling, but their circumstances dictated the need for a behavioral change. Many patients who are mandated by the legal system to receive counseling are male. What efforts are being made to encourage artists to seek professional help? As an audience, we make it hard for rappers to have the room to candidly speak about their feelings or show much emotion. The Hip-Hop brand demands a level of grit and fearlessness. From where we stand, we see beautiful women, loads of cash, luxury cars, and smiling faces. Depression in the rap industry may come as a surprise to many of us looking in from the outside.
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