Rapper Herbert Wright III, G Herbo, has just formally announced his Swervin’ Through Stress mental health initiative. The mission is to connect young Black adults with therapeutic resources that help inform and improve their mental health in pursuit of a better quality of life. The initiative includes a well rounded program which includes 12 weeks of free therapy for 150 Black youth.
This is not G Herbo’s first excursion in the department of mental health. His latest album, PTSD, explores his post-traumatic stress disorder based on his upbringing in Chicago. In an interview with JaGurl TV during GRAMMY weekend 2020, he claimed, “PTSD (the album) is coming and it’s mainly just me talking about mental health, what it is to me, what it has done to me.” G Herbo explains.
He was diagnosed with PTSD almost two years ago, and since then he has been an advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. He continues, “Its really about just shedding a light on that [his mental illness], being in my situation really just being able to go out and live my life on the day to day and how it effects me, how it may have effected me in the past, and how it can help other people, you know? So thats important to me.”
Herbo has also partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and InnoPsych to create a hotline for anyone who needs to talk to a professional. American Psychological Association, Black youth who are exposed to violence are at a greater risk for PTSD by over 25%. The initiative is working towards breaking that statistic.
G Herbo used his influence in the music community to bring other artists together for the cause. On Wednesday, July 29, Herb participated in a livestreamed panel psychiatrist Jessica Clemons on Twitch. City Girls, Saweetie, Wale, and NLE Choppa Mode joined to encourage therapy for Black youth.
If you or anyone in your community needs help with mental illness, the hotline is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM till 5 PM CST at 844-457-PTSD (7873). Emergency help is available 24/7 by texting NAMI to 741741.
