Growing up, Kyle Freeman was your typical, fun-loving kid who enjoyed the beach, skateboarding, playing sports, camp counseling, and DJing parties. At a young age, he loved doing impressions of people, appreciated comedy, and was a natural at keeping family and friends entertained. He saw everything in a positive light and loved people. He was particularly drawn to music at an early age. He recognized and could name every musical group he heard by the time he was three years old. His goal was to write, produce, and perform his music. After graduating from Full Sail University with a recording arts degree, he pursued his music career in Nashville.

However, as he was growing his music education, he experienced his first psychotic break and was forced to return home. Later, he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which left him devastated and terrified. He struggled for years with severe episodes requiring hospitalization. Kyle began to need more assistance than his blended family could provide. With the support of the McAdoos and Freemans, he was approved for disability benefits and became a client of a local non-profit mental health organization, which helped his family better understand his illness. Through psychiatric care, medication management, and an assigned caseworker, Kyle could maintain his stability more frequently. This allowed him to pursue his musical goals and career. He became a well-known local DJ in St. Pete and collaborated with many like-minded musicians to produce and record his music.

In 2013, Kyle met the love of his life, Marie. Despite his mental health issues, she helped him navigate their lives together, and in 2015, they had a son, Naji.

Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental illness caused Kyle debilitating shame. His close friends encouraged him to discontinue his medication and treatment, putting him at risk for future psychotic episodes. This continued ignorance and pressure surrounding his mental health and treatment created a downward spiral, resulting in him being hospitalized nine times in fifteen years.

One of Kyle’s closest friends even said, “Kyle could do better if he really wanted to.” Some people believed that his illness was a choice because they saw him stable and working, without understanding that he was mentally ill and unable to perform a “normal” job consistently.

Acceptance does not come easy for those diagnosed with mental illness. It can be confusing and traumatic for family members trying to understand the illness and find a path forward. Education, support, and understanding from family and friends are imperative in treating mental illness.

In 2016, the world stood still for his family and friends when Kyle took his own life. Kyle’s loved ones were left in a state of profound grief, their lives forever marked by his absence. As a testament to his impact, Kyle was honored in The Floridian in the Tampa Bay Times, among nine other notable Tampa Bay artists who left us that year. As we remember Kyle, we celebrate his life and contributions, cherishing the memories that continue to resonate in our hearts.

We must change the mindset toward mental health issues and have open, honest, and vulnerable conversations about our journeys with mental health to reduce the stigma and shame surrounding mental illness. Kyle is one love, all love, and is missed by his family and friends. His friendly, positive attitude throughout his life and illness was a beacon of hope for all of us.