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On July 22, Kim Kardashian West was moved to break the silence about her husband, rapper Kanye West, and his struggle with bipolar disorder.
After the latest news of erratic behavior from her husband, Kardashian West issued a statement on social media.
The media personality talked about the stigma surrounding mental illness and how bipolar disorder can be "incredibly complicated and painful" to understand.
"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 incredibly 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."
@jnoahmorgan/Twitter
She continued:
"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, and 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."
"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 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."
She reminded the public about his contributions to the entertainment industry.
"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."
@jnoahmorgan/Twitter
She added:
"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 the most."
She concluded her post with:
"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."
@jnoahmorgan/Twitter
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star's garnered sympathy among fans on social media.
Kardashian West's comments followed three days after West faced backlash for comments he made during his first presidential campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina. At the rally, the rapper got emotional talking about his late mother, Donda West, who died from complications after plastic surgery in 2007.
He also claimed that Harriet Tubman "never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other White people."
Early on Wednesday morning, West tweeted comments, one of which was aimed at his wife and mother-in-law Kris Jenner. In the since-deleted tweet, West referenced the 5150 section of the Welfare and Institutions Code—when an adult experiencing a mental health crisis can be involuntarily detained for a three-day psychiatric hospitalization.
West wrote:
"They tried to fly in with 2 doctors to 51/50 me."
E Online reported the rapper posted another since deleted tweet referencing a November 2018 criminal justice summit at the Waldorf Astoria in New York attended by Kardashian West and rapper/activist, Meek Mill—whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams.
"I been trying to get divorced since Kim met with Meek at the Warldolf [sic] for 'prison reform.'"
He added:
"Meek is my man and was respectful. That's my dog. Kim was out of line."
Kardashian West has not addressed her husband's statements in the deleted tweets.