There are some stories that are difficult to write, and this is one of them. Following the heartbreaking passing of Presley Gerber, there will undoubtedly be countless conversations about his life. But among them, one deserves to continue long after the headlines fade: the conversation Presley was already having about mental health.
Presley was incredibly open about parts of his life that would’ve been much easier to keep private. He spoke about his struggles, recovery and the realities of mental health with a vulnerability that made other people feel comfortable admitting that life isn’t always okay.
Through his “Mental Health Mondays,” Presley created space for conversations that are still far too uncommon, particularly among men. For generations, men have been told in one way or another to toughen up, push through it or keep their emotions to themselves.
Vulnerability has too often been mistaken for weakness when, in reality, being able to say “I’m struggling” can require an incredible amount of strength. Presley understood the importance of talking about it, and people were listening.
I didn’t know Presley personally, and I’d never pretend that I did. We exchanged a few messages over DM, and in every interaction I had with him, he was incredibly kind. We were also supposed to have a conversation for the XO Diva D podcast last year that, unfortunately, never happened. I wish it had.
But this isn’t about a conversation that didn’t happen. It’s about the conversations Presley did have and the people who felt less alone because he was willing to have them.
As someone who has experienced my own struggles with mental health and sought treatment at different points in my life, I know how powerful it can be to hear another person simply acknowledge that they struggle too. You don’t have to know someone personally for their honesty to reach you.
That’s something Presley gave people. His Mental Health Mondays have also left me thinking about what it means to keep these conversations going. As I move forward with XO Diva D and its podcast, I want to make space in every episode for mental health in some way: a check-in, an honest conversation or simply a reminder that whoever is listening isn’t alone.
Not as a replacement for what Presley did, but as one small way of carrying the spirit of those conversations forward, because men’s mental health needs those conversations.
Check on the men in your life. Check on the friend who always makes everyone laugh. Check on the person who seems like they have everything together. And when someone tells you they’re struggling, listen.
More importantly, if you’re struggling yourself, please talk to someone. There’s no amount of success, money, followers or recognition that makes someone immune to being human, and there’s no shame in needing help.
Presley’s story deserves to be remembered for more than its ending. His willingness to be vulnerable mattered. His kindness mattered. The people who found comfort in his words mattered, and those conversations still matter.
To Presley’s family, friends and everyone who loved him, I send my deepest condolences and hope they are given the privacy and compassion they deserve as they grieve.
Presley, thank you for talking about the hard stuff. Thank you for reminding people they weren’t alone.
We’ll keep talking. ❤️
XO Diva D 