Mental Health Matters: Megan Thee Stallion’s Call to Check on Your Friends

Megan Thee Stallion is urging you to check on your friends.

The rapper, whose offstage name is Megan Pete, is part of a new public service announcement called Seize the Awkward, a national campaign to encourage young people to talk to friends about mental health.

“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,” she said in a statement. “A strong support system can make a powerful difference in someone’s life.”

Megan Thee Stallion’s involvement in the campaign may help reduce mental health stigma, Dr. Broderick Sawyer, a clinical psychologist in Louisville, Ky., tells CNN.

She is “finally making healing look as cool as it should be,” Sawyer says, adding that her involvement “is forcing the conversation to go mainstream.

“Many centralizing platforms just have resources that pretend mental health is one-size-fits-all, that everyone is the same,” Sawyer says. “The truth is that people have wildly different experiences depending on their identities, and types of sociopolitical oppression they go through.”

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Robert Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, told CNN that Pete’s involvement may feel more relatable as she works to reach young, marginalized people.

Pete has also touched on mental health in her music: Her website, “Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too” gathers mental health resources in one place.

RELATED: Megan Thee Stallion Launches Mental Health Resources Website

The suicide rate for children and teens ages 10 to 24 has been increasing, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I’ve always been told I gotta be strong. Thick-skinned, stiff upper lip. Tough as nails,” Megan Thee Stallion said in a video for the campaign.

“But to be everything for everybody… it wears on you,” she continues. “‘Black don’t crack,’ they say. But it can. I can. We all can.”

“Reach out to a friend if you see them going through it,” she adds. “No matter who you are, being vulnerable is what makes us whole.”

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For those struggling and not sure where to start the conversation, the 28-year-old rapper also filmed five videos with Seize the Awkward that can be seen on the organization’s website about being vulnerable with oneself and how to open up to friends.

“I got involved with this campaign because I genuinely know what it feels like where I don’t want to open up and I don’t want to talk about it and I don’t tell people, ‘No, I don’t like this.’ ‘This has affected me this way.’ ‘I’m sad.’ ‘I don’t want to do that,'” Megan explains in the clip.

Tips for checking on your friends

1. Choose the Right Time and Place: Find a comfortable and private setting to have a conversation. Ensure both you and your friend have enough time to talk without feeling rushed.
2. Be Non-Judgmental: Approach the conversation with an open and non-judgmental attitude. Avoid making assumptions or passing judgment about their feelings or experiences.
3. Listen Actively: Let your friend speak and express their feelings. Listen attentively, without interrupting, and validate their emotions. Sometimes, people just need someone to vent to.
4. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage them to share by asking open-ended questions like, “How have you been feeling lately?” This can help them open up and express themselves more freely.
5. Respect Their Boundaries: Understand that they may not want to talk about their feelings or experiences right away. Respect their boundaries and let them know you’re there whenever they’re ready.
6. Show Empathy and Support: Let your friend know you care by expressing empathy and support. Say things like, “I’m here for you,” “You’re not alone,” or “I care about your well-being.”
7. Avoid Giving Unsolicited Advice: While you might want to help, refrain from offering advice or solutions unless they specifically ask for it. Sometimes, people just need someone to listen.
8. Suggest Professional Help: If you believe their mental health issues are severe or worsening, gently encourage them to seek professional help. Offer to assist them in finding a therapist or counselor if they’re willing.
9. Stay Connected: Continue to check in on them regularly, even when they seem to be doing better. Mental health can fluctuate, so consistent support is essential.
10. Educate Yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about their specific mental health condition, if applicable. Understanding their experiences can help you be more empathetic and supportive.
11. Respect Privacy: Don’t share their personal information or struggles with others without their explicit permission. Respect their privacy and trust.
12. Self-Care: Supporting someone with mental health issues can be emotionally taxing. Make sure you’re taking care of your own well-being too. Seek support for yourself if needed.
13. Be Patient: Recovery from mental health issues can be a long and nonlinear process. Be patient and understanding, and don’t expect immediate improvements.
14. Follow-Up: After initial conversations, follow up periodically to see how they’re doing. This shows that you genuinely care about their well-being.
15. Crisis Situations: If you believe your friend is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, don’t hesitate to contact emergency services or a crisis hotline.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, dial or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support.