Depression is Not a Sign of Weakness

Veronica MarquezTHE SANTA CLARANovember 10, 2016I laughed along with the rest of Drake’s fans as he rapped the lyrics “is this a world tour or your girls tour” in his song “Back to Back”, a criticism of rapper Meek Mill for using Nicki Minaj’s fame to get more recognition.I, like many others, am an avid Drake fan and appreciator of his diss tracks. I spent more money that I probably should have on tickets to his Summer Sixteen tour. Drake could cross the line countless times and not lose fans. However, if there is a time to take the other side against Drake, it is now.On Oct. 4, artist Kid Cudi checked himself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges. On a Facebook post, he explained that he has dealt with anxiety and depression his entire life which may have been a contributing factor in his abuse of drugs. While many fans and fellow artists showed support for Kid Cudi, he did receive criticism. In Drake’s new song “Two Birds, One Stone” he trivialized Cudi’s battle with depression with lines such as “you were the man on the moon, now you just go through your phases.”This song, which was released soon after Kid Cudi went into rehab, is believed to be an attack on Cudi and refers to his battle with mental illness as ‘phases.’If anyone has gone through ‘phases,’ it is Drake. Lets not forget his time acting on the dramatic and corny Canadian show “Degrassi.” Now, he raps about his hard upbringing and how he “started from the bottom.” How hard that life actually was is debatable, unless growing up as a teen star in a nice neighborhood in Toronto makes the cut. But that’s besides the point.While diss tracks can usually be disregarded as humorous and ultimately inconsequential, this song does not fall into that category. Kid Cudi showed bravery by opening up to the world about his personal experience with a mental health disorder. This is especially important due to the high number of adults suffering with depression and anxiety.College students are not exempt from these statistics. If anything we are affected at greater numbers. A 2013 American Psychological Association survey found that around one-third of college students reported experiencing depression within the past year and had difficulty functioning because of it.Many college students have to maintain their grades, extracurricular activities, family lives and social lives all while dealing with this disorder. Few seek or receive proper treatment. As a college student, chances are that you have dealt with depression or you know someone who has. During my time at Santa Clara, I have met various individuals who have opened up about their battle with depression. We cannot ignore or minimize this mental health disorder as Drake has done. Kid Cudi could have easily kept his rehab trip a secret, but he chose to be courageous and shared his story with the world. This is not simply another case of celebrity drama, but a representation of the misunderstanding of depression that occurs in real life. Depression is not just one of the ‘phases’ that Kid Cudi has experienced, but it is a battle he has dealt with his entire life. Speaking about it openly shows his fans that no one is exempt from mental illnesses and it is not a sign of weakness. Veronica Marquez is a sophomore communication and ethnic studies majorArticles in the Opinion section represent the views of the individual authors only and not the views of The Santa Clara or Santa Clara University.