Kim Kardashian Asks Media for "Compassion and Empathy" for Husband Kanye West

"I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health"

BY Allie GregoryPublished Jul 22, 2020

In the midst of her husband's particularly messy presidential run, Kim Kardashian has spoken out about Kanye West's recent troubling activity, asking for the media to give their family respect and privacy while they recoup.

In a statement posted to the media figure's Instagram stories, Kardashian opened up about her experience with West's mental illness, asking the media for "empathy" and "compassion" in reporting on his erratic behaviour so that the family "can get through this."

Her statement comes following West's Twitter rant from earlier this week in which he claimed that his family was trying to institutionalize him, compared his experience to the plot of Jordan Peele's Get Out and called his mother-in-law Kris Jong-Un, among other concerning statements.

Last week, reports surfaced that the Kardashian-West family were concerned for Kanye as they suspected he was in the throes of a bipolar episode, which was bookended by a series of extreme statements at his South Carolina presidential rally, including his criticism of American abolitionist, Harriet Tubman. There, he also spoke at length about his anti-abortion stance, admitting his regret that he had initially wanted Kardashian to abort their daughter.

It remains unclear if West's campaign is viable, as it appears that he has only just filed his "Statement of Candidacy" form a matter of days ago. Yesterday (July 21), West appeared to throw in the towel, stating that he would "focus on the music now." Earlier today, the rapper asked his twitter followers if he should run in 2020 or postpone his campaign until 2024.

For now, it appears that West has been hiding out at his Wyoming ranch for several days to avoid being involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.

Read Kardashian's full statement below.

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.

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.

I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at time can cause strong opinions and emotions. He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top 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 sometimes do not align with his intentions.

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 dreams have come true. 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. 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.


See screenshots of the statement captured by Twitter user @clauirizarry below.
 

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