Charlamagne Tha God Advocates Open Conversations on Mental Health

Many boys grow up with the belief that showing vulnerability is a weakness.

During a conversation at a recent wellness festival, Charlamagne Tha God challenged this mindset, encouraging those raised with this notion to reconsider their perspective.

Born Lenard McKelvey, Charlamagne is widely recognized as the host of the influential radio program “The Breakfast Club.” He has been candid about his own struggles with depression and anxiety.

He shared that meditation has been a key tool in managing his mental health. Additionally, he embraces a straightforward technique: stepping outside, removing his shoes, and walking barefoot on the grass.

“People often say it jokingly, like, ‘Man, go touch grass,’” he remarked. “But seriously, try it and see the difference it makes.”

Opening up about his experiences hasn’t always been easy, he admitted, but it has proven worthwhile. He recounted instances where strangers thanked him, saying his openness about therapy inspired their loved ones to seek help.

This feedback led him to realize that living authentically shields one from judgment and helps build a supportive community that strengthens resilience.

Charlamagne emphasized that men—particularly Black men—do a disservice to themselves and their families by concealing their mental health struggles. His message is deeply personal: in 2018, following a cousin’s suicide, his father confided that he had also previously attempted to take his own life.

Reflecting on this, Charlamagne said, “I thought, if I had known earlier about my father’s struggles, I would have understood my own anxiety and bouts of depression better.” He recalled asking his mother about it, and she replied, “I thought he was just acting out for attention.”

He concluded by stressing the importance of transparency: “There’s no reason for us to keep secrets from each other. Sharing both our challenges and the ways we overcome them would benefit us all greatly.”