T.I.’s Daughter Deyjah Harris: Don’t Wait To Reach Out To Those Having Mental Health Issues!

Deyjah Harris

T.I.’s Daughter Deyjah Harris: Don’t Wait To Reach Out To Those Having Mental Health Issues!

Deyjah Harris, the 19-year-old daughter of rapper T.I., is speaking out about mental health and urging her fans to help those who are struggling.

Deyjah Harris recently discussed her struggles with her own mental health as a child on her YouTube channel.

Transparently speaking, depression and anxiety is something that I’ve been dealing with since about the age of eleven. My self-esteem started to kind of become an issue for me in the sixth grade due to bullying…so without the proper knowledge and support, I eventually started to turn to self-inflicted coping mechanisms that weren’t too beneficial to me or my growth.

Now, Deyjah Harris has continued the conversation with a six-page essay. She starts by indicating what she feels healing looks like when it comes to mental health, encourages people to reach out to those they feel are having mental health challenges, and how there is no time limit on healing:

Getting help can take many forms and although this might take practice, especially if you’ve spent years criticizing yourself, I want you all to know that it is okay. Just because “time heals all wounds” doesn’t mean that the scars won’t still be there. You take as long as you need when it comes to you and your healing, because this journey is your own unique experience.  No matter where you are with your recovery, your current situation doesn’t make you incapable of creating a new reality for yourself.

She continues,

If you are aware of the fact that someone is dealing with mental health challenges, please do not wait to reach out to that person. Sometimes talking to someone about what’s troubling them is the first step to getting them the support they need.

Throughout the essay are numerous tips and suggestions on coping mechanisms and healthy ways outsiders (friends, family members, etc.) can provide help and support:

Encourage, love, and support them while you have the time to. Keep in touch with them whenever you can just to check in with them and see how they’re doing. Send a text or give them a call to remind them how proud you are of them because it can be difficult to stay consistent with recovery. Communicate to them that their challenges will not affect your love, comfort, and moral support for him or her.

She also encourages those who are doing what they can to assist those who are having mental health issues to also care for their own mental health:

Always remember to be patient, sympathetic, and thoughtful towards their feelings by engaging with and listening to them. Saying statements like “I love you no matter what you’re experiencing” and genuinely expressing your concern(s) could be of great value also! 

At the end of the day, don’t forget to take care of yourself and your wellbeing also. In order for you to be able to assist others with their mental health, you must first practice taking care of you and your mental health. 

Deyjah can certainly relate to experiencing mental health issues as she has publicly had to deal with her own rollercoaster of emotions directly related to her famous dad and his headline-making comments about her virginity and attending her gynecologist appointments on the Ladies Like Us podcast. In an episode of T.I. and Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, Deyjah confirmed to her cousins that T.I. had been going with her to these appointments and says that she was embarrassed and traumatized after learning of him publicly discussing it. She also said that because she doesn’t handle problematic issues well, she just hopes “they go away:”

Deyjah‘s dad has since apologized after a discussion with her mother, Ms. Niko, on his ExpediTIously podcast. T.I. said:

I apologize to Deyjah. You know I love you. You know I’ve always gone above and beyond to do everything and anything possible to make you happy and keep you protected. However, I must now acknowledge the fact that you’ve now become a young lady. I understand that. Some lessons are harder than others, but the important thing is – make sure you get the lesson.

T.I., Deyjah Harris

Deyjah ends her essay, which can be read here, with recommendations for school administrators as well as employers to be mindful of their students’, teachers’, or employees’ mental health and tells them not to ignore uncharacteristic behavior:

Sit down with your administrator or manager to discuss reasonable options to give everyone, including themselves, a time to relieve stress and clear their headspace. Employees shouldn’t have to neglect their health because they feel as though they’ll fall behind or be ashamed for taking a break. 

Each and every one of you have such a huge influence and effect on every individual you teach. Your role and impact is so important and I want to say thank you so much for taking your job seriously.

I LOVE YOU ALL! 

What are your thoughts on Deyjah Harris’ mental health essay? Tell us in the comments!