Kid Cudi, Big Sean and Jay-Z are just a few of the hip-hop artists who are helping to break mental health stigma by being open about therapy, depression and anxiety. 

Speaking about mental health, substance abuse and suicide may have been taboo in the past, especially in hip hop and communities of color. But growing discussion, acceptance and understanding of these important issues today are encouraging young people of color to seek help for problems they otherwise would have swept under the rug.

Generally, people of color are discouraged to speak up about such issues. As Van Jones said in a conversation with rapper and business mogul Jay-Z last year, the stigma around mental health is ingrained in the African American community.