by Cardi B: Normalizing the Conversation Around Mental Health
While Cardi B may not explicitly offer advice, her willingness to openly discuss her own mental health challenges has helped normalize the conversation in a meaningful way. The Grammy-winning rapper and entertainer has shown through vulnerability that even those with fame and success can struggle behind closed doors. By sharing her experiences, Cardi B helps reduce stigma and shows others they are not alone in their mental wellness journey. Her transparency proves celebrities do not have to maintain an image of perfection and that discussing struggles can be empowering.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
At the height of her career in 2019, Cardi B took to Instagram live to candidly discuss feeling overwhelmed and wanting to take time away from work to focus on her mental health. She tearfully expressed anxiety and loneliness, saying “I’ve been feeling sad for a couple of days.” This came as a surprise to many fans who saw Cardi B as living a charmed life full of glamour and success. However, her vulnerability showed that even the most famous people experience mental health challenges.
By sharing her feelings openly, Cardi B helped normalize discussing emotions typically seen as “weak” or something to hide, especially for celebrities in the spotlight. Her admission that fame and fortune do not equate to perfect mental wellbeing likely resonated with many struggling quietly. It reminded followers that everyone, regardless of status, is deserving of compassion during difficult times. Cardi B proved mental health issues can affect anyone and that it is okay, and even empowering, to discuss when you are not okay.
Talking About It Helps
After opening up about her struggles in 2019, Cardi B continued to candidly discuss her mental health journey. She spoke about seeking therapy and finding it helpful to get things off her chest. In a 2020 interview, she said “I think talking about it really helps. When I’m feeling sad and I’m feeling depressed, talking to someone – not even a therapist, just talking to one of my close friends – it makes me feel better.”
By emphasizing how cathartic it can feel to share your struggles, Cardi B encouraged others to reach out when in need. Her transparency showed fans it is alright to be vulnerable and that keeping emotions bottled up only makes them worse. Speaking openly about mental wellness helps reduce the shame and secrecy that often surround these issues. Cardi B proved starting an honest dialogue is an important step towards self-care and healing.
Seeking Help is a Sign of Strength
When discussing her therapy experiences, Cardi B made it clear she viewed seeking professional help as a sign of strength rather than weakness. She encouraged followers to utilize available mental health resources if they felt overwhelmed. In a 2020 interview with Vogue, Cardi B said “I think going to therapy is great because sometimes you just need an unbiased person to talk to.”
By normalizing therapy and counseling, Cardi B combatted the stigma that these services are only for those with “serious” issues or the “weak.” Her advocacy showed everyday struggles deserve compassion too and that prioritizing mental wellness enhances overall health. Cardi B’s openness about her own journey with a therapist helped fans feel less ashamed about considering similar options. She proved taking care of your mental health is empowering rather than something to hide or feel weak about.
Leading By Example
Through candidly discussing her personal experiences over the years, Cardi B has shown the power in openly addressing mental health challenges. Her willingness to be vulnerable about struggles with anxiety, loneliness and seeking professional help has helped normalize the conversation in a meaningful way. By leading with transparency, Cardi B proves celebrities do not need to maintain an image of perfection and that discussing hard times can be cathartic.
Her advocacy highlights that everyone, regardless of status, is deserving of compassion during difficult periods. Most importantly, Cardi B encourages others to utilize available resources and prioritize their mental wellness. She reminds fans it is alright to not always feel okay and that talking helps lighten burdens. Through openness about her own journey, Cardi B continues combatting stigma and encouraging preventative self-care. Her advocacy sets an example that mental health discussions should be had freely without shame or secrecy.
Promoting Resources
While Cardi B focuses her advocacy on open dialogue rather than explicit advice, she has promoted several mental health organizations to her massive social media following. This helps expand awareness of available support systems. Some notable groups Cardi B has highlighted include:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): The largest grassroots mental health organization providing education, advocacy and support group resources.
The Jed Foundation: Works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults through various programs and partnerships.
The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth, including a peer counseling hotline.
Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 text-based support for those in crisis. Users can simply text HOME to 741741.
By spotlighting reputable organizations, Cardi B helps fans easily access further information and assistance if needed. Her promotion encourages those struggling to utilize available community support systems. Overall, Cardi B’s advocacy through openness and resource sharing helps move discussions of mental wellness out of secrecy and into the light of compassion.
