We are in the midst of a worldwide mental health crisis. Estimates suggest that as many as 36% of people worldwide will struggle with a mental illness in their lifetime. And for those that do experience mental illness, it is often a chronic issue, with people experiencing relapse over the course of their lives. Further, mental illness can be associated with extreme loss of functioning. As an example, depression is now considered to be the number one cause of work disability worldwide. And in extreme cases, people who suffer from mental illness can lose their life through suicide.
The Covid-19 pandemic has only worsened our mental health. We have been subjected to relentless fear of death and sickness, loss of our loved ones, disconnection from friends and family, and reduced ability to work and engage in enjoyable activities. Studies suggesting that as many as 31% of people have experienced depression or anxiety during the pandemic, with as many as 40% experiencing significant distress. Even those of us fortunate enough to return to “normal” life face the stress and uncertainty of a significant life transition. And we do not yet fully grasp the long-term impact of this difficult time on our long-term mental health and well-being. We need help and we need it now.
While there is evidence that we have efficacious treatments for mental illness, including psychotherapy and medication, there are barriers that exist to people getting the care they need. Perhaps one of the most pervasive barriers to getting treatment is the stigma of mental illness. This stigma both vilifies people with mental illness and blames them for their condition. It purports that people who struggle with mental illness are not only “crazy” and “dangerous” but also that they are “lazy” and unable to overcome their mental illness because they do not work hard enough to make changes in their life. People who struggle with mental illness may face stigma and even discrimination, including health care systems that do not offer mental health care comparable to the care of other conditions.
There are many ways of combatting the stigma of mental illness. But one of the most powerful forces that we have in combatting the stigma of mental illness is our mental health advocates. Mental health advocates are people who have in some way worked to shine a light on the struggles of people with mental illness. Sometimes they are bravely sharing stories of struggling with their own mental illness or the illness of a loved one. Other times they are letting us know that if we struggle with mental illness that there are people out there who want to help rather than judge and ridicule. Perhaps it is someone who is sharing their knowledge of resources available to people to get support or treatment for their mental health issues. Regardless of the specific method, mental health advocates work to challenge the stigma of mental illness in our society.
We need all of the mental health advocates we can get. Every time someone steps up and challenges the stigma of mental illness and supports people who suffer, it is a huge step towards tackling the mental health crisis. In recent times, one group of people to step up as mental health advocates and challenge the stigma of mental illness have been musicians. As an example, during our conversation for The Hardcore Humanism Podcast, Tim Booth – founding member and front man of the band James — openly discussed his struggles with anxiety and the various methods he used to manage it. And I have been fortunate to have been able to talk with many artists in recent years, on both The Hardcore Humanism Podcast and The Going There Podcast who have shared their struggles in an effort to help reduce the stigma of mental illness so that people can feel more comfortable about getting the care they need. And I often receive feedback from listeners as to how powerful these artists’ stories are in helping them feel less stigmatized and alone in coping with their mental health issues.
And it got me asking the question, “What makes musicians such powerful mental health advocates?” I think there are several reasons. First, playing music is inherently an emotional undertaking. Whether it is the power of playing a musical instrument, writing introspective lyrics, or performing live in front of fans, musicians regularly must process, experience and express intense emotions. And thus, it is natural that in order to be a professional musician, artists may have to confront intense and often difficult emotions – including anger, elation, anxiety and depression — on a regular basis. This type of ongoing engagement with emotions naturally engenders a comfort with mental health issues – the type of comfort that tends to normalize rather than stigmatize mental health issues.
Second, while being a “rock star” is often portrayed as a glamorous life, most musicians have had to, at least for part of their careers, endure grueling regimens that are damaging to both physical and mental health. Musicians often tour incessantly for weeks, months and even years. During this time, they often are subjected to disrupted sleep cycles, poor living conditions, lack of access to healthy food and exercise, disconnection from friends and family. Further, being a musician is far from a sure bet – economic success and job security are not guaranteed. During the pandemic, most musicians lost their primary source of income – live shows. All of these factors take a tremendous toll on physical and mental health, and can exacerbate pre-existing mental illness. And so, many musicians know firsthand the difficulty of struggling with mental illness.
Further, musicians understand the potential damage of the stigma of mental illness. Because just as we revere our rock stars, we also often vilify them when they struggle. Many musicians have seen how the same music industry colleagues, media, fans or even band mates that cheer them on can turn on them when they struggle with depression, addiction or suicidality. They have experienced the lack of empathy and compassion that often accompanies being afflicted with mental illness. And musicians will experience stigma perhaps even more intensely as their personal struggles are broadcast instantaneously to billions of people through media. Thus, musicians like other celebrities know how powerful and damaging stigma of mental illness can be, and thus the importance of challenging that stigma.
But at the same time, musicians have seen the power that they have to transform people’s lives. They have seen how a live concert can take all of the intense emotions that go into their music and create a cathartic experience for their fans. They have been told how a specific song or album really connected with listeners. And they have been told how music in general, and in some cases their music in particular, has helped their fans through difficult times. It is not uncommon for people to declare that music saved their lives.
And it is perhaps because musicians have often struggled with their mental health, endured stressful times, experienced the stigma of mental illness and yet were still able to deliver powerful and life-changing music – that they have something from their fans that is invaluable in combatting the stigma of mental illness – trust. Many fans have known these musicians and their music for most of their lives – longer than many friendships and romantic relationships. Music has been the soundtrack of their lives – present during the most wonderful and difficult moments. Just as trust is crucial in a therapeutic relationship, it is crucial that people trust their mental health advocates. And musicians have spent a lifetime building that trust – sometimes with millions of fans. Thus, when a musician shares their story of struggling with mental illness, the potential benefit to combat stigma is stadium-sized.
So, thank you to all of the mental health advocates out there, including the musicians who have bravely stepped forward to challenge the stigma of mental illness. The world needs you now more than ever.
Photo credit: Oscar Keys on Unsplash
