Jeezy Opens Up About His 8-Year Battle With Depression: 'I Didn't Understand Trauma'

Jeezy candidly shared his struggles with his mental health and how he is working towards overcoming them during his appearance on the "Tamron Hall Show" earlier this week.

"I didn't understand trauma and all these different things so when I started to get the words for it, I started to understand and grab tools, I started to become better," the rapper said.

Jeezy, born Jay Jenkins, recently released his memoir "Adversity For Sale: Ya Gotta Believe," which chronicled his eight-year struggle with depression.

"I started on my journey and that's why I'm expressing it and putting it in the book because I didn't know I was depressed for like eight years of my life straight."

On top of his mental health struggles, Jeezy also opened up about "leaning into [his] vices," which only worsened his battle with depression.

"And that's what street life does to you. You know what I'm saying?"

Jeezy: 'Vulnerability is Power'

Aside from depression, Jeezy also revealed that he grapples with anxiety sometimes. He explained how growing up poor drastically changed his mindset and prevented him from accepting being vulnerable.

"You get numb. And I wasn't able to get in touch with my emotions, and I was wondering why."

"I learned that vulnerability is power," he added. "I thought that something was wrong with me, thinking I come from poverty and this is how it is."

Jeezy Seeks Help

The "Put On' rapper went on to reveal what helped him get through it and was the catalyst for him to seek help.

"Thank God for my kids, but there was a time I was just cold. That's when I was Young Jeezy."

According to reports, Jeezy and his estranged wife Jennie Mai last Sept. 14 after more than two years of marriage.

They reportedly got engaged during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and they tied the knot in 2021.

Apparently, as per the rapper, there is "no hope for reconciliation" between the two and they are "living in a bona fide state of separation."

While no one from either party has revealed or alluded to any specific reason why they divorced, the "The Real" co-host shared a post that read "Sometimes, you need to take a break and disconnect, to heal."

Tags

Jeezy, Mental health