But behind the facade,depressionbegan seeping in.
Streeter was struggling with whether or not she wanted to live.
She, likeso many other black women, kept these emotions hidden.
Photo by Dennis Leupold
As many as two thirds of people with depression dont seek treatment, according to research inJAMA Internal Medicine.
The problem is especially pervasive in the black community.
SELF: Your album titleGirl Disrupteddraws a direct parallel to the 1999 movieGirl Interrupted.
Photo by Dennis Leupold
Were you thinking of the movie when you named the album?
Streeter:Ive always been a huge fan of the movie.
But she wasnt free from her own set of issues.
Photo by Dennis Leupold
I found a common thread between that world and mine.
Through songwriting, I was able to disrupt some fears and insecurities, and thats whatGirl Disruptedcame from.
SELF: The album opens with Livin.
Its such a powerful, important song.
Why did you decide to make it the first song on the album?
Livin is me speaking directly to some things that Ive gone through, like depression.
It was really therapeutic for me.
You have to release those things.
My album wouldve been missing an element of truth had I not written Livin.
I realized that Id been honest [with my fans] about everything except for depression.
Once the song was done, I was really able to exhale.
In the span of those four years, how did you find the fortitude to keep going?
Girl, how much time do we have?
Thank God for supportive people and supportive fans.
To hear those things really gave [me] strength, more strength than people will ever realize.
What triggered that depression?
It was a lot of different things.
Ive been working in this business since I was 15.
So many things happened in my personal life as well.
Being in a publicrelationship, and then trying to date again.
That was a lot to deal with.
Its so important to recognize what your triggers are.
Then, you’ve got the option to move on from there.
I tried [a therapist] in the midst of my hard time.
That particular experience wasn’t for me, but whos to say another one wouldn’t be better?
SELF: So many people can relate to suffering silently.
Ive been there, too.
Were you worried about how you would be perceived when you decided to share your story?
[But] I have so many fans who say, Girl, Ive been through the same thing.
Listening to this song helped me get through this.
It always helps to hear that someone else understands and is going through the same thing.
All it is is confronting what youre going through and fighting your way to a better, happier you.
Thats ultimately why I decided to talk about it.
SELF: Theres so much stigma around mental health, especially for black folks.
How did you find the courage to say Im depressed out loud?
It takes a lot of energy to conceal the truth and pretend like youre happy.
I just felt light and better.
SELF: What advice would you give people who are also dealing with depression?
Its hard for everybody.
Im in the toughest moment ever.
I lost an aunt.
I found out that my uncle is diagnosed with stage three cancer.
Youre going to get a brand new day, and every day, you get a fresh start.
SELF: Black women in R&B are really having a moment.
Do you feel like were in an R&B resurgence?
Yes, I really do.
There isnt really too much anybody can conceal these days.
Music speaks to the times.
As a society, were dealing with real-life issues.
From the president topolice brutality, people are really speaking out.
The way that women are speaking up in black music is beautiful and necessary.
It just makes me feel better about myself, and freer to express my art in that way.
Have you encountered obstacles specifically because youre a black woman artist?
It is very tough, especially forblack women.
Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Evette Dionne is a black feminist writer, editor, and critic based in Brooklyn.
She’s currently the senior editor atBitch.
