DaBaby Launches Mental Health Initiative In Honor Of Late Brother Who Committed Suicide

DaBaby has launched a mental health platform called DaBabyCares in memory of his brother, Glenn Johnson, who died by suicide in 2020. The initiative was announced on September 26 during Suicide Prevention Month and aims to "raise awareness, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and provide vital resources for both youth and adults dealing with mental health issues." He has collaborated with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas to create a free downloadable toolkit titled “Youth Mental Health 101 Resource Guide.” In an Instagram post, DaBaby shared, “Honestly, I’ve been struggling mentally and spiritually since we lost my brother. The kids are what keep me strong! Every child in our family is a SOULJA, but they need to enjoy their childhood.” He added, “From my experience, a lot of mental health issues stem from unaddressed childhood trauma. In honor of my brother, my nieces and nephew, and anyone who has lost someone to suicide, I want to use my platform to offer resources and create a safe space for those battling mental health challenges, especially focusing on Black males and youth!” For more details, visit DaBabyCares.com. After Johnson’s death, DaBaby openly expressed his grief and connected with his fans on Instagram. In one post, he referenced a line from his 2017 song “INTRO” about familial love and support. He urged his 15 million Instagram followers to “check on your people.” DaBaby also revealed that he is seeking therapy to cope with the various tragedies he has faced in the past two years, including the death of his father in 2018. He tweeted, “#MentalHealthAwareness. If you can’t overcome depression, GET HELP. If you see a loved one struggling, help them, even if they resist. PTSD is serious—get help. I’m about to see a therapist myself! #LongLiveG.” Additionally, DaBaby had been visiting polling places while coordinating free transportation for voters in North Carolina when he learned of his brother’s death. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police responded to a report of an “assault with a deadly weapon” on Tuesday, where Johnson was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and pronounced dead at a hospital. He had posted a video earlier that day appearing distressed while holding a handgun and speaking about feeling wronged. Johnson is survived by four children.