Kim Kardashian is coming to the defense of husband Kanye West. After the rapper shared a barrage of late-night tweets on July 20 and reportedly on the 21st, as well as breaking down during his first presidential campaign rally in South Carolina on July 19, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star opened up about his struggle with bi-polar disorder in a series of lengthy Instagram Stories on Wednesday (July 22).
“He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder,” she wrote, noting that this is the first time she has addressed how his bipolar disorder impacts their family life. “Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions.”
She went on to ask people to be kind “to the individuals who are living with [mental health issues] in times when they need it most.”
Her message comes after West’s now-deleted series of tweets claimed that Kardashian had a doctor on the way to him in Wyoming to “lock me up,” how the movie Get Out is about him, among other seemingly unconnected topics. The rapper also announced an upcoming album titled Donda — the name of his late mother — and shared various tracklists for the record.
During his Sunday rally, West — who only announced his run for the White House on July 4 — said in rambling speech that he and Kardashian had considered ending her pregnancy while they were expecting daughter North, and broke down in tears as he said, “I almost killed my daughter.” He also claimed that “Harriet Tubman actually never freed the slaves, she just had the slaves go work for other white people,” and demanded to be on the boards of Adidas and The Gap.
Read her full statement:
As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder. Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how complicated and painful it is to understand. I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.
Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor. People who are unaware or far from removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try.
I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions. He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder. Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions.
Living with bi-polar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his big dreams have come true.
We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it most. I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well being and for your understanding.
With Love and Gratitude,
Kim Kardashian West
If you or someone you know needs information or help regarding mental health issues, contact the the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration‘s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Free, confidential treatment referral and information is provided 24/7, and is available in English and Spanish.
