The rapper received an outpouring of support after alluding to suicidal thoughts in an Instagram post
Fans have shown their support for Azealia Banks after the rapper made posts on social media alluding to suicidal thoughts.
On Saturday, Azealia Banks posted on Instagram Live about these thoughts, citing the coronavirus pandemic, a lack of social interaction and intimacy, combined with “constant public ridicule” as contributing factors. Many fans expressed concern for the artist and posted their support for her on social media.
On Sunday night, Banks offered a status update, posting a selfie on Instagram with the caption: “I’m fine, better than I was before.” In subsequent posts, she shared video messages, captioned “show me love when I’m up bitch, not just when I’m down”.
Banks’s posts led to an outpouring of love and support for the artist, as well as triggering a wider discussion about support for the mental health of musicians and celebrities, and particularly mental health support for Black women more broadly. Banks has previously discussed her experiences with mental illness on social media and in her own lyrics.
Someone please check on Azealia. She doesn’t deserve this. Prioritize Black mental health and show up for Black women. https://t.co/7GM6VUssWC
— ً (@LIQUORICEBlTCH) August 9, 2020
Y’all don’t wanna give ppl their flowers till u by their gravesite & that’s the problem. Y’all ignore Azealia Banks every day. Talk about how problematic she is. Now the aftermath of years of being treated poorly and unappreciated is showing its head and y’all wanna fake care. 🖕🏿
— SEKOYA (@yungbabytate) August 9, 2020
I try not to be bitter about the Azealia Banks thing but people really threw her away but will give their precious whites, their aspirational light skins, and the awful abusive men in the industry they worship chance after chance and make excuses for them but this lady gets dust
— Rashida Renée (@evilrashida) August 9, 2020
Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 (UK) and 116 123 (ROI). The US National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.