Kanye West's Recent Hospitalization Is Not a Punch Line

While behavior and outlandish quotes are part of what some would argue make Kanye West, Kanye — in a more serious turn of events, the rapper was hospitalized after police responded to a disturbance call Monday night, the day after he canceled the rest of his Saint Pablo Tour, according to the Los Angeles Times.

While the exact cause of his hospitalization is still unknown, TMZ reports West was admitted into the hospital for a psych evaluation. While some people have equated this development as “Kanye being Kanye,” others have taken to Twitter to defend West — because getting hospitalized due to mental health issues is nothing to joke about.

Here are some of their responses: 

Like @kanyewest or not, mental health issues are not funny & peoples reactions have showed attitudes towards it are still misguided & wrong.

— Joshua White Ⓜ️ (@Obscurejosh) November 22, 2016

Kanye was just hospitalized for his own safety. If you mock him for getting the help he needs, you’re a part of the problem #mentalhealth

— Dexter J. Nyuurnibe (@DexterJohnN) November 22, 2016

The easy thing to do is make Kanye West jokes.
The compassionate thing to do is hope he’s ok and gets the help he needs.

— andy lassner (@andylassner) November 22, 2016

We wish @kanyewest all the best. Mental health is not something to joke about or be taken lightly. Hopefully he can get the help he needs.

— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@Bey_Legion) November 22, 2016

Much love to Kanye West. I hope he gets better soon.

— Ferrari Sheppard (@stopbeingfamous) November 22, 2016

I wish @kanyewest love and support through his journey. Mental health is no joke and a constant battle and I hope he makes more dope music.

— Ronald Funches (@RonFunches) November 22, 2016

Like or hate Kanye West, people shouldn’t be putting him down for being hospitalized. Instead, should be lifting him up in Prayer. ????????

— Dylan (@DylansFreshTake) November 22, 2016

People making jokes about Kanye being hospitalized is why there is a stigma around mental health. Get well soon, @kanyewest.

— Rashad Alaiyan (@rashadalaiyan) November 22, 2016

Hey @kanyewest , get better man! People are making jokes right now, but having been there myself, I hope he gets the help he needs.

— emile hirsch (@EmileHirsch) November 22, 2016

Been knowing the brother upwards of 13 years. Mental healing is a serious thing, no matter what. Stay strong Kanye West. ✊????

— 9th Wonder (@9thwonder) November 22, 2016

Ya’ll gonna pray for Kanye West like ya’ll prayed for Cudi?

Or do we only care about mental health when it looks respectable?

— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) November 22, 2016

get better @kanyewest

if nothing else this is a reminder that we’re all humans and mental health has to be taken seriously!

— C. (@CRNKN) November 22, 2016

Mental health is too often stigmatized. It’s not a joke and shouldn’t be treated as such. Get well, @kanyewest.

— Stephen (@StephenOssola) November 22, 2016