Kaia Gerber has spoken about the profound impact her brother Presley Gerber's struggles with drug use and mental health have had on their family.
"When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone," Gerber, 24, told Vogue in a recent cover story.
She explained that her brother's difficulties led her to adopt a more self-reliant role. "I think that's also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing," she stated.
Presley Gerber, 27, has previously been open about his personal life. In a social media video last December, he detailed his use of medications for panic attacks and night terrors. He mentioned taking Buprenorphine, which is used for pain and opioid use disorders, and experiencing fluctuations with benzodiazepines, which are prescribed to treat anxiety and related conditions.
He also shared that he had experienced recent losses, which he cited as contributing factors to his current situation. His medication regimen included Xanax for severe panic attacks and Valium, though he expressed uncertainty about the exact dosage.
Gerber noted in the video that he was seeking a way to manage his health through a combination of personal research, medical advice, and spiritual guidance.
Kaia Gerber described her brother's decision to share his experiences as "refreshing." She contrasted this with the privacy her parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, maintained for much of their children's lives.
"My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything – and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, 'I’m gonna be very human for everyone,'" she told Vogue. "There’s only so much you can hide from the world."
She added that attempting to conceal such struggles can lead to feelings of shame. "And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them."
In May, Presley Gerber expressed his gratitude for his father's unwavering support in an Instagram post, calling him the "best father in the world."