If there is anything that these past few have proven, it’s that Slaughterhouse co-founder Joell Ortiz abides by an incredible work ethic. Last year, the Brooklyn, New York veteran MC linked up with Michigan producer Apollo Brown for a joint record, Mona Lisa. At the top of 2019 came Ortiz’ collaboration album alongside Dipset affiliates The Heatmakerz, and Bronx’ Fred The Godson for Gorilla Glue. Then, at the top of the summer, the rapper linked up with Grammy-Award Winning producer Salaam Remi for BoxTalk. It wasn’t until the final days of August that Joell Ortiz readied the release of his latest solo project and ode to his labor of craft, Monday, to further prove his freakishly lively output.

This week, a cut from Monday gets the video treatment with “Anxiety.” It is a tell-all track that depicts Joell Ortiz’ personal and previously private struggle with mental health. Here, the Brooklyn rapper candidly opens up about his internal issues, exploring topics that weigh heavily on his mind and detailing the severity of his anxiousness.

In a world where emotional struggles are often overlooked, Joell Ortiz’s willingness to share his raw experiences on “Anxiety” shines a light on the importance of mental health. His openness serves as a reminder that, regardless of how successful or accomplished one may be, internal battles can still be overwhelming. It’s not easy to confront these issues, but speaking out about them, much like Ortiz has, is a powerful step toward healing. Many may find solace in his vulnerability, understanding that they are not alone in their fight. For those who need support, services like Hebert Counseling provide an opportunity to confront these feelings head-on, offering guidance through what can often feel like an unmanageable storm.

As society gradually becomes more open about emotional and psychological struggles, the accessibility of mental health therapy online has emerged as a lifeline for many. It offers a discreet, flexible, and compassionate path to healing—especially for those who hesitate to seek in-person help. Online sessions allow individuals to connect with licensed professionals from the comfort of their homes, reducing barriers like travel, stigma, or tight schedules. This modern approach to therapy ensures that help is no longer out of reach, no matter where someone finds themselves on their mental health journey.

One valuable resource making strides in this space is www.telapsychiatry.com, which bridges the gap between patients and qualified psychiatric care through secure digital platforms. With services ranging from initial assessments to medication consultations, it equips individuals with tools to better understand and manage their mental health.

Virtual therapy offers a unique combination of privacy and flexibility, allowing people to seek the help they need without the fear of being judged or stigmatized. This shift towards digital platforms means that help is now accessible to a much wider audience, including those in remote areas or individuals whose busy lives make it difficult to attend in-person sessions. This digital revolution has not only enhanced convenience but also opened up opportunities for more people to address their mental health challenges, setting them on a path to healing and better emotional balance.

Building on the idea of accessible care, this publication highlights how non-pharmacological approaches are making significant strides in addressing developmental challenges in children and adolescents. It delves into how brain-based programs, such as Brain Balance®, are showing promising results in improving various developmental outcomes, particularly for those with severe emotional or behavioral struggles. These programs focus on enhancing brain function by targeting areas like motor coordination, social communication, and academic performance.

The findings suggest that such approaches can significantly reduce the need for medication while still offering substantial improvements in mental health and developmental outcomes. These developments align with the growing movement towards holistic approaches to mental health, where both traditional therapy and innovative brain-centered techniques work together to offer well-rounded support to individuals facing mental health challenges.

Acknowledging anxiety, depression, or any form of mental distress is not a weakness; it’s a step toward reclaiming control. Seeking professional help, whether through a counselor, therapist, or support network, helps to empower individuals to break free from the shackles of their own minds. Through songs like “Anxiety,” Joell Ortiz proves that strength can come from vulnerability, encouraging others to find their voice and seek the help they deserve.

Kool Keith, B-Real & Joell Ortiz Show MCs How To Level Up (Audio Premiere)

The visual opens up with Ortiz holding a gun to his head as a solution to silence his overworking thoughts, before breaking out into his first verse. He raps with sincerity over an instrumental by Nottz, telling the audience how he avoids his career duties for the sake of attempting to catch-up with himself:  “I feel funny / Shouldn’t I be happy? I get money / Instead, I put on all new clothes and feel crummy / But I’m showin’ up for work like I’m a-okay, Anxiety? Who, me? No way, José / I hide behind a smile while my mind is runnin’ wild / Nervous for no reason, heart beatin’ like a mile a minute / Where’s the nearest bathroom? I’m in it / Splash some water on my face, wipe it dry, let’s get it / That’s my life in a nutshell, feel like I’m goin’ nuts, well / Let’s keep it on the low, can’t let ’em know that you ain’t upscale / I shouldn’t even carry real ID /Forgot what it feels like to really feel like me.”

He dives even further into his pain, explaining how his struggle with anxiety is overcoming his willingness to be in the public eye, and how it’s propelled feelings of depression in his lifestyle: “Sometimes I hear a song and wanna cry / It brings me to before I was this guy and puts water in my eyes / I keep my faith strong, if there’s a Lord up in the sky / I pray that I feel happy one more time before I die / I get glimpses / Then it’s gone in an instance / Joy’s in front of me and then it’s off in the distance / No one in my phone book I could call for assistance / ‘Cause they won’t understand what I be goin’ through, what is this?”

Joell Ortiz Is The Captain Of His Destiny & He’s On A Course For Greatness (Audio)

The song is frank and thoughtful, as Ortiz describes the symptoms of anxiety he feels with urgency for the track’s hook: “Okay, oh no, first I can’t catch a breath, Feel the moisture as I begin to sweat / I start feelin’ dizzy like my balance left / And now my heart’s beatin’ like it’s out my chest / It’s happenin’ again, it’s happenin’ again / But you can’t tell nobody, they gon’ think you crazy / It’s happenin’ again, it’s happenin’ again, Just let it pass, boy, you’ll be good, baby.”

Similar to the genuineness Ortiz shows on “Anxiety,” Monday also features the rapper’s heart-felt dedication to his mother with “Momma,” a sweet Blakk Soul-featuring tune that shows vulnerable tenderness. Monday, according to Ortiz, is an album dedicated to the grind. “Working people normally dread Mondays,” he says on the album. “Not me, though. I embrace them! Feels like another opportunity. Another chance. The beginning of what’s ahead.”

Joell Ortiz & Hit-Maker Salaam Remi Have Released A New EP. Take A Listen.

Monday is out now, courtesy of Mello Music Group, and features an appearance from Big K.R.I.T.

#BonusBeat: Joell Ortiz speaking about his anxiety with The Library With Tim Einenkel. Many episodes of the show, as well as an interview with Ortiz and Apollo Brown, are available at AFH TV. We are currently offering free 7-day trial subscriptions:

HIGHLIGHT – @JoellOrtiz talking mental health with The Library with Tim Einenkel.@MrChuckD @pharoahemonch @hiphopgods @ambrosia4heads pic.twitter.com/4SJpWQPdcF

— Tim Einenkel (@LibrarywithTim) October 24, 2019