CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On World Mental Health Day, Charlotte native DaBaby made a surprise appearance at West Charlotte High School to offer his DaBaby Cares Mental Health 101 Toolkit to students.
Paula Cook, the principal at West Charlotte High School, told WCNC Charlotte that offering the toolkit and resources is all part of a larger message to students.
“We just want them to know that there's a place for them," she said.
The rally, organized by the Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHA), was attended by over 700 students in an effort to promote mental health awareness among youth.
Ayo Johnson is the executive director with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas. She said ensuring kids have access to resources is part of the group's focus.
“We're real big on youth mental health," she said.
MHA developed the toolkit in partnership with The Glenn Johnson for Mental Health initiative, which was inspired by DaBaby's vision to honor his late brother, who lost his life to suicide in 2020.
DaBaby spoke about the initiative in an Instagram post following its launch:
I know from experience that the majority of mental health issues come from unchecked childhood trauma & in honor of my brother, my nieces & nephew, and anybody who done lost a loved one to suicide I wanted to utilize my platform to provide the resources and create a safe space where it’s REALLY NEEDED for the ones struggling with mental health.
The initiative is dedicated to fostering safe spaces for youth, as well as providing access to vital mental health resources and real-time support.
"The need for mental health awareness and education has never been greater," Johnson said. "Through the Dababy Cares Mental Health 101 Toolkit, we are empowering students and their families to identify when support is needed. Our community needs to know they are not alone and that resources are available to help."
Cook discussed why it was important for the school students to see a figure like DaBaby talk about mental health.
“It's just important to have this sort of event, particularly presented by someone that they can relate to, that can just help them understand that mental health it's okay to not be okay, and to help them figure out ways to just work through that," she said.
During Thursday's event, DaBaby added it was “super important for me to just be able to take every opportunity that I get to, you know, inspire and uplift as many kids and adults as well as possible.”
Find more information and resources at dababycares.com.
If you or a loved one are facing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, there is help readily available. You can call Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat with them online. There are also resources in North Carolina available here and in South Carolina available here.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.