Songs about Mental Health

Experiences with poor mental health has inspired many to speak about the adverse effects of having mental illnesses. The largest impact, however, of people speaking up about mental health has been by the music industry. When it comes to mental illnesses, music has helped people find words to express things that they never could articulate through words. The struggles one faces while suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues have become more prevalent themes in music.

“1-800-273-8255” by Logic, featuring Allesia Cara and Khalid, is a song deeply related to mental illnesses and how alone one feels while struggling with their mental health. The song borrows its name from the phone number for the American National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Logic has mentioned in an interview that he wished to use his voice create a song that helped his fans feel less alone in their struggles. Lyrics such as-”Ain't nobody callin' my phone, Where you been? Where you at? What's on your mind? They say every life precious but nobody care about mine”- depict the loneliness one may feel while struggling with a mental illness. This sentiment is one that has been echoed by various but not acknowledged in most conversations regarding mental illness.

“Scars to your Beautiful” is a song by Alessia Cara that talks about with the negative image that many women have of their appearance. The beauty standards prevalent in this world have put an enormous amount of pressure on people to look a certain way and, while this has an impact on men, beauty standards can have many adverse effects on women. It can cause issues such as eating disorders and low self-esteem. Through lyrics such as- “You should know you're beautiful just the way you are, And you don't have to change a thing, The world could change its heart”- provide reassurance to women that they are beautiful no matter what society says. The song creates an image of beauty that is more than just what society thinks is beautiful. It is a song that gives women comfort and encourages them to be comfortable in their own skin.

Kehlani’s song “24/7” is one where the singer opens up about her own experiences with mental illness. Through the song, the singer reassures herself and the audience that waves of depression are what make people human. It is natural for us to feel worried and anxious and sad because nobody is happy all the time. People’s mental health is not always in a good place but it is not necessary to be cheerful all the time because nobody is. The singer relates her own experience to the listeners through her lyrics- “I have my days when I am upside-down, topsy-turvy, I have my days when I am not myself, and I'm not worried, I have my nights when I'm not anxious, To wake up and feel any better”

Music has always been a way for people to express emotions too powerful for words. It has the capacity to articulate feelings that may seem impossible to communicate otherwise. Music can depict sentiments that even we are unable to completely understand for ourselves. Listening to music that we can relate to can help to cheer us up and make us feel less alone.