Rapper DaBaby Shares Mental Health Message After Brother Dies by Suspected Suicide

Following the death of his older brother, rapper DaBaby is sharing an important message, urging fans struggling with their mental health to seek help. DaBaby’s brother, Glenn Johnson, died on Tuesday. Though the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police will only say the death is under investigation, TMZ reported Johnson died by suicide, which DaBaby seemed to confirm in a tweet and Instagram story posted on Thursday. DaBaby commented that he’s about to seek out a therapist of his own, and tagged the post #LongLiveG, with a black heart and white dove.

#MentalHealthAwareness ❗️
If you can’t get over depression GET HELP, you see a loved one struggling get them help, they refuse the help, MAKE em get treated anyway.

You suffer from PTSD take that shit serious & get help!

I’m bouta get a therapist my damn self! #LongLiveG????????

— DaBaby (@DaBabyDaBaby) November 6, 2020

DaBaby posted a follow-up Instagram story that included lyrics from his song “Intro.” “My brother be thinkin’ that we don’t love him and let him struggle like we ain’t family/Like I won’t give up all I got to see you happy,” he wrote. He captioned the post, “I would’ve gave up all I had to see you happy.”

The Frontlines: Suicide rates have been trending up since the turn of the century, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide rates are generally higher among men than women. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Research has found that connecting people with help and support can help people when they’re struggling.

• According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, social connection and building community can serve as a protective factor against suicidal thoughts and even other mental health issues
• Other research suggested that therapy can reduce the risk for suicide significantly after a previous attempt — those who had therapy were 26% less likely to die by suicide

A Mighty Voice: Sometimes even the smallest things can make a difference. Our contributor Crystal Lancaster shared how one special song helped her through her lowest days. “Maybe it feels like you’re a million light years away from happiness, and maybe that void in your stomach that only equates to emptiness causes you to feel like it will never be filled. But I dispute that statement. I’ve had your thoughts. I’ve been in your mind. Many times has my heart never seemed more connected to my head. I’ve plotted ways. I’ve mapped out dates. I’m telling you, I’ve been there. But I’m still here.” You can submit your first-person story, too.

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From Our Community:

How I coped in October

Other things to know: You’re not alone if you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts. It can feel like the loneliest time of your life. But there are reasons to keep fighting and people who have been there want to share a few with you:

• How Do I Overcome Suicidal Thoughts? Let Me Count the Ways
• What Has Changed (and Not Changed) 6 Months After My Suicide Attempt
• When You Make It Through to the Other Side
• What Pulled Me Out of the Downward Spiral of Suicidal Thoughts

How to take action: When going through a difficult time or dealing with a mental health crisis, know you’re not alone and help is available. But there are other ways to help you get through these painful times. Read more in our suicide prevention resources.

If you struggle with self-harm and you need support right now, call the crisis hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741741. For a list of ways to cope with self-harm urges, visit this resource.