Kid Cudi.Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Kid Cudi

Kid Cudirevealed that he suffered a stroke in 2016, just two weeks after checking into rehab.

In a feature forEsquiremagazine published on Wednesday, Kid Cudi, 38, opened up about a time in 2016 when hechecked himself into rehabfor “depression and suicidal urges.” Two weeks into his stay, he suffered a stroke and was sent to the hospital.

Though he didn’t get the part, Kid Cudi explained why the experience ultimately helped him.

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Kid Cudi attends the “Don’t Look Up” World Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 05, 2021

“I proved to myself that I could do it,” he said. “I needed that at the time. I was happy. Like, damn, my brain is still strong. I didn’t lose something in that s— that happened.”

Now, Kid Cudi hopes to help others with his conscious music, as he declared, “I’m ready to wear those shoes and be a role model.”

When asked if being a face of mental health awareness bothered him, Kid Cudi said, “It’s a lot of pressure, but it keeps me alive. So I’ll take it. It doesn’t stress me out. It keeps me thinking, ‘Nah, Scott. You gotta be here. Let old age take you out.’ "

This isn’t the first time Kid Cudi has been open about his mental health journey.

In 2020, the “Day N Nite” lyricist spoke about his battle withdepression and anxiety.

“When we’re young, we face a lot of pressure to do things that harm us. We pretend to be happy when there’s a raging violent storm inside of our heart,” Kid Cudi said. “Once it was difficult for me to find the words. Anxiety and depression ruled my life for as long as I could remember. I was scared, I was sad, I felt like a damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions.”

“I knew I deserved peace and to be happy, but I didn’t know how,” he shared. “It took me a while to get to this place of commitment, to say I’m gonna get through this. To know that we can take our pain and turn it into something.”

“I turn my pain into music,” Kid Cudi said. “And my music is how I am different. And my difference is my power.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com