As a society, we now know that the conversation on mental health needs to continue. We can no longer have this conversation about its impact once in a while. Instead, we need to continue having these conversations each and every day.
Why?
Because more and more recent studies are revealing how much mental health is becoming a growing concern for millions of people, particularly Millennials. In fact, a survey that we recently conducted in partnership with Silence the Shame shows just how severely Millennials are being impacted by mental health each and every day.
Though these facts are disheartening, we are so thankful to organizations, like Silence the Shame, for the tremendous strides and efforts they are in empowering and encouraging those who are suffering in silence to seek help.
We are so honored for the opportunity to collaborate and work with Silence the Shame and its incredible founder, Shanti Das, through our partnership campaign called, #NoShameOnlyGain.
Known as a legendary two-decade-old music industry veteran, Das is the world-changing leader behind the mental-health initiative, Silence the Shame. And when we say “world-changing,” we literally mean it.
Back in 2017, Das launched a campaign that rocked the world, receiving over 90,000,000 social media impressions from around the world!
With the support of celebrities like Chloe x Halle, Da Brat, Usher, Nick Cannon and Ludacris standing with her, Das is amplifying her message to those who are suffering in silence and making a tremendous impact on their lives, particularly those of minorities.
I’m so proud of my friend @ShantiDas404 for addressing the stigmas associated with mental health in her new initiative #SilenceTheShame.
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) March 14, 2017
What makes Das so extraordinary and impressive is her incredible background, authenticity, and her willingness to share her own personal struggles with mental health. During her career, Das has worked with renowned music labels like Columbia Records, LaFace Records and Universal Motown alongside industry legends like Outkast, Toni Braxton and Stevie Wonder. Yet, she battled depression in silence. Her battled started in her earlier 30s.
“I started getting counseling, but after that I kind of buried it again,” she said. “I guess once life got harder for me. I was already afraid of what others might think… that’s why I never wanted to do anything about it.”
But in 2015, Das said after encountering friends and loved ones who were also dealing with mental health issues, she decided to not be silent about her struggles.
“I found out that I had a family member who was bipolar…my best friend- committed suicide… then I told myself you have to deal with this,” she said. “I started on antidepressants and got myself together. Then, I wanted to help people and to share my story. I knew I couldn’t be afraid about it.”
Das said she especially wanted to do something to help others due to another family member who committed suicide when she was a very young girl: her dad.
“My dad committed suicide when I was seven months old,” she told RIZZARR. “Then, fast forward to having a successful career, I kind of buried and suppressed my feelings for only so long until I couldn’t anymore.”
She said especially couldn’t bury her feeling after hearing stories from her friends and others about their personal battles with mental health: “I began talking to other people, and depression was something we all had in common. We all found love and support through our friendship and sharing our stories. This motivated me even more to find a way to liberate others.”
Das said she then decided to create, Silence the Shame under her nonprofit, the Hip-Hop Professional Foundation.
In May of 2017, Das and her team organized the first #SilencetheShame campaign that received from celebrities, like Nick Cannon, and millions of people all across the world engaged it – sharing their overcomings.
Seeing the tremendous positive impact her campaign made, Das said she is continuing to get involved and to create campaigns that cam liberate others through her nonprofit.
“I am now speaking at colleges through our college tour, creating public service announcements, participating in panel discussions across the country, and more,” she said. “In the future, my goal is to open mini-clinics in underserved communities and near college campuses to provide care for those who may not have access.”
Though Das said she has her moments of overcoming depression at times, she makes sure to engage in self-care. She also said she becomes inspired and empowered through sharing her stories with others and the support that she has received from her family, friends, and many across the world. She said she especially becomes inspired by the possibilities of impacting lives, particularly those of Millennials.
“I have found some much inspiration through the Millennial generation,” she said. “So many Millennials are just bold, and they inspire me to make an impact.”
Find out more about Silence the Shame by visiting http://silencetheshame.com, and you can view our partnership campaign by clicking here. Make sure to support our campaign by sharing your thoughts and ending the shame around mental health.
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