Popular rapper, producer, and fashion designer previously known as Kanye West published a full page open letter titled To Those I’ve Hurt on the back page of Section A of The Wall Street Journal. The advertisement, paid for by the Yeezy brand, marked one of his most direct and personal public statements to date. In the letter, Ye confronted his past behavior, detailed his long standing mental health struggles, and acknowledged the pain he said he caused to individuals and communities close to him.
According to the letter, Ye traced the origin of his mental health challenges to a car accident in 2002. The crash fractured his jaw and caused visible physical injuries that were treated at the time. However, he disclosed that the accident also resulted in an undiagnosed injury to the right frontal lobe of his brain. He stated that this injury went unnoticed for more than twenty years and was not properly identified until 2023. Ye linked this untreated brain injury to the mental health damage that followed and to his bipolar disorder, which he said was officially diagnosed in 2016.
Ye described bipolar disorder as a condition marked by denial, particularly during manic episodes. In his words, those periods created a sense of power, certainty, and invincibility, while his grip on reality weakened. He noted that untreated bipolar disorder can reduce life expectancy by ten to fifteen years, comparing its impact to severe heart disease, type one diabetes, HIV, and cancer, citing data from the World Health Organization and Cambridge University. He also explained that the condition often convinces those affected that they do not need help.
In addressing his past actions, Ye expressed regret over losing touch with reality and ignoring his condition. He acknowledged that his choices worsened his situation and that he said and did things he deeply regrets. He wrote that he treated loved ones poorly and caused fear, confusion, and humiliation. He described becoming detached from his true self and referred to several moments as out of body experiences that were difficult to recall afterward. In that fractured state, he said he gravitated toward destructive symbols and actions, including the sale of swastika related imagery, which he now views as a reflection of how disconnected he was at the time.
The letter included a clear denial of antisemitism. Ye stated that he is not a Nazi and not an antisemite, and that he loves Jewish people. He said he is deeply regretful and mortified by his actions during that period. While explaining how his mental health struggles contributed to his behavior, he emphasized that they do not excuse what he did. He committed himself to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.
Ye also addressed the Black community, describing it as the foundation of who he is. He apologized for letting the community down through his past actions and statements and reaffirmed his love for his people.
He further revealed that in early 2025, he experienced a four month manic episode marked by psychotic, paranoid, and impulsive behavior, which he said destroyed his life. During that period, he admitted to experiencing moments of suicidal thoughts when the situation felt unsustainable.
On his recovery, Ye said he found comfort in online forums where people living with bipolar disorder shared their experiences. Reading those accounts helped him realize that he was not alone in repeating destructive cycles, even while receiving medical care. He stated that he is now stable under what he described as an effective routine of medication, therapy, exercise, and clean living. According to him, this stability has brought a new level of clarity, which he is now channeling into positive creative work, including music, clothing, design, and new ideas intended to help the world.
Ye concluded the letter by stating that he was not seeking sympathy or a free pass. Instead, he expressed a desire to earn forgiveness and asked for patience and understanding as he continues to find his way forward. He signed the letter with a brief closing, with love, Ye.
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