SHAWNEE, Kan. — Kansas City’s own Krizz Kaliko spoke about mental health via song Saturday during his “Stop The World Speaking Concert.”
Behind the curtain, he connected with fans, including long-time fan Matthew Williams.
“At one point, I dealt with a lot of issues, which is my own depression, and it was nice to always hear the voice of someone who felt like it was really my story,” Williams said.
Kaliko is candid with fans about her own mental health journey.
“I was diagnosed with PTSD, OCD, bipolar mania, hypochondria, all these titles they want to put on me,” Kaliko said. “I’ve been on every psychiatric drug known to man, but I wanted people to know that medicine is okay, right. There is a way. I wanted people to know that there is a way to exist without all these ailments.”
Williams says that Kaliko’s music and vulnerability allow him and other fans to feel safe.
“It’s like having a mirror. You need someone to look back at you and say, ‘You know, I know what you’re talking about, you’re not crazy for thinking this way.’ This is how we help each other,’” Williams said.
Kaliko took a deep dive on Saturday, sharing a personal message in the hope that fans would understand him better.
“I’m a misfit,” he said. “If you look at some of my fans, they are misfits. They are marginalized, but we have a place which is to be together.”
Kaliko says that her goal during each show is to make sure fans know they are not alone.
“It’s just a reminder that even though you’re dealing with something that seems so big and so much bigger than you can handle, there is help,” Williams said.
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