DaBaby Launches Mental Health Platform Honoring Late Brother
DaBaby has introduced a mental health platform in memory of his late brother, Glenn Johnson, who died by suicide in 2020. Unveiled during Suicide Prevention Month on Thursday, September 26, the North Carolina rapper’s initiative, DaBabyCares, aims to “raise awareness, dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, and provide essential resources for both youth and adults facing mental health challenges.”
As reported by VIBE, DaBaby has also teamed up with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas to offer a free downloadable resource toolkit called the “Youth Mental Health 101 Resource Guide.”
In an Instagram post, DaBaby shared: “To keep it real I been thrown off mentally & spiritually since we lost big bruh. The only thing kept me strong was the kids! Every child in our bloodline a SOULJA, But damn that kids need to be kids.”
He went on to say: “With that being said I know from experience that the majority of mental health issues come from unchecked childhood trauma & in honor of my brother, my nieces & nephew, and anybody who done lost a loved one to suicide I wanted to utilize my platform to provide the resources and create a safe space where it’s REALLY NEEDED for the ones struggling with mental health. Specifically targeting Black Males & the Youth!”
More information about the initiative can be found by visiting DaBabyCares.com.
After Johnson’s passing, DaBaby expressed his grief publicly and used Instagram to connect with his fans. In one Instagram Story, he referenced a line from his 2017 song INTRO, saying, “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, n—-.” He later urged his Instagram followers to “check on your people.”
DaBaby also revealed he sought therapy to cope with the multiple losses he’s endured, including his father’s death in 2018. Additionally, he was involved in a fatal shooting at a North Carolina Walmart, which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old. He was sentenced to one year of probation.
“#MentalHealthAwareness,” DaBaby wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “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 s— serious & get help. I’m bouta get a therapist my damn self! #LongLiveG.”
