Mental illness activism comes in many different mediums — speeches, discussion circles, art displays, among other things. But Kai Roberts takes a new approach, discussing the subject in a performance called “Rapping the Movement.”

Roberts will bring “Rapping the Movement,” a discussion and performance on mental health and other issues to Schine Underground on Thursday at 7 p.m. The free event is hosted by Syracuse University’s division of the national student organization Active Minds.

Active Minds aims to change the conversation about mental health. Treasurer Jenesis Gayden, a sophomore psychology, neuroscience and forensic science triple major, chose Schine Underground for the event’s location because the venue hosts most of the concerts at SU. The event was also funded by the Student Association, which Gayden says allowed the admission price to be free.

SU Active Minds president Kylie Kerker, a sophomore neuroscience and biology double major, said the group wanted to bring something “new to the table.” Kerker also said they have been working since September to organize the event.

Kerker and Gayden discovered Roberts through the National Speakers Bureau — a national organization consisting of professional speakers. After discussing the idea with their executive board, they decided to bring Roberts to campus.

“We thought it would be a good idea to bring him in because he brings interest to mental health awareness in an interesting way,” Gayden said.

Kerker added that Roberts stood out to her because of the fun way he shares information.

Though music has been part of his life for a while, Roberts said he did not begin rapping about mental health issues until he struggled with them himself. He began experimenting with music in elementary school with the clarinet and saxophone.

By the tenth grade, Roberts had transitioned into writing his own music, which he said was his way of keeping a journal. But while studying at Carnegie Mellon University, Roberts began experiencing extreme anxiety and panic disorder.

“I took a leave of absence sophomore year,” Roberts said. “I started writing music to deal with everything.”

He eventually put out an album titled “Carnegie Café,” which he produced and funded through Kickstarter. Roberts then contacted the national branch of Active Minds to hopefully be featured. Though they did not initially respond, after performing at the National Speakers Bureau, Roberts got his break: SU’s Active Minds asked him to come and perform on campus.

Roberts described his music as a little bit of everything, but mostly focused on his battle with anxiety. He also performs about love, heartbreak, being bullied and the actual physical sensations of anxiety.

The event will begin with a video created by Active Minds, though the event itself will primarily go back and forth between Roberts rapping and a dialogue between him and the audience, talking about mental health issues, Gayden said.

Gayden also said he believes this event is a good example of healthy ways to cope with anxiety. What’s more, Gayden said Roberts’ status as a black man is important to note because minorities are “very underrepresented” when it comes to mental illness.

To develop interest in the event, Active Minds has been handing out flyers and developing a strong social media buzz through an event Facebook Page, Kerker said. They also have a digital kiosk in Schine Student Center outlining the event.

Overall, Kerker stressed that the goal of the event is to have the audience leave with a different perspective of mental health and how to deal with it.

Roberts mirrored Kerker’s statement, saying he hopes the audience learns to understand the value of perseverance when it comes to mental illness.

“I want people to feel less alone in their mental struggles, and see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Roberts said. “College can be a very daunting process.”

Published on March 9, 2016 at 9:57 pm

Contact Hanna: hrhorvat@syr.edu