By: Epiphany Johnican
Mental Health Awareness Day may be October 10th, but mental health should be taken care of in one’s everyday life. It’s not always easy to admit you’re not okay. New Roads Behavioral Health offers five warning signs of mental illness to watch for, especially when you have two or more of these symptoms:
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability
- Extremely high and low moods
- Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
Especially in the age of COVID-19, many people are left feeling stressed and overwhelmed. That’s completely normal. You are not alone.
Just remember, your life is worth it, and you are stronger than you think. While you venture on your mental health journey, I want to leave you with six powerful songs you can listen to on your mental health journey.
“I’m Not Nervous” – Floorbird
Floorbird’s single “I’m Not Nervous” speaks vividly about the exhaustion and shame that comes with mental health struggles. But truthfully, the whole “Fall Apart Anywhere” EP is worth taking a listen to because it vividly illustrates experiences of this 2020 quarantine.
The juxtaposition of being stuck in isolation and longing for a deep connection ring true through their lyrics. It leaves listeners feeling less alone, and more understood.
“In 26 minutes, there’s more about mental illness, loss and intrusive thoughts than love,” their management team wrote.
“No Part of Me Ever Dies” – Linaire
This indie synth pop single, like the rest of Linaire’s self-titled album, emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and existential awareness. “No Part of Me Ever Dies” contains sentiments of love and loss, reflecting on life’s many difficulties and struggles.
“No Part of Me Ever Dies is about accepting one’s most difficult emotions,” Linaire said. “The old lonesome ones that feel endless and overwhelming.”
Linaire uses her music to remind listeners that these feelings are not permanent and that once embraced, they pass more easily.
Her songs inspire listeners to come to their own state of healing by slaying our dragons instead of running from them. This is where growth starts.
“I’ll Do Anything But Breakdance For Ya, Darling” – Kate Davis
“I’ll Do Anything But Breakdance For Ya, Darling” is an indie rock single set for release Oct. 9, just ahead of Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. Her single’s expression fluctuates between calm and explosive. The result: an emotional ballad about going to the ends of the earth for the one you love, knowing true love is hard to find.
Davis partnered with the late Daniel Johnston’s charity, the Hi How Are You Project, to record a cover album of Johnston’s “Retired Boxer.” Some of the proceeds from sales and streaming went to Johnston’s charity, which is centered on educating people about mental health. This year on Mental Health Day, Kate will be streaming a pre-recorded performance. “I’ll do Anything But Breakdance for ya, Darling” was released to help promote the event, ahead of the cover album “Strange Boy” with an expected release date of Jan. 15, 2021.
“Calm Me Down” – Shelter Boy
This upbeat new song comes with transparent lyrics and a brit-pop vibe. This song is all about being stuck in your own mind and feeling trapped in the rollercoaster of life’s emotions. It’s about taking a step back from all the stress of life to take a breath. Shelter Boy’s strong vocal performance shows he needs that feeling of freedom as much as everyone else, just preferably in the company of another.
“Under Fire” – Kiefer
“Under Fire” came about after Kiefer’s 10-year hiatus from the music industry. After many breakups, unsettled careers, and personal growth, Kiefer’s more rejuvenated self presents a song with themes of letting go and becoming a better version of yourself.
This single has an electrifying pop sound and equally powerful lyrics that serve as physical proof of Kiefer’s growth, not only personally, but musically, as well.
According to Kiefer, “You are the only person responsible for you.” Agreed. But this doesn’t mean you can’t get help from other people. It just means you have to be willing to accept it.
“Time Heals Everything” – Jennifer Messina
This song is very encouraging, as the lyrics express the need to be patient about your healing process and realize that sometimes part of the healing comes from time.
Messina’s vivid lyrics are coupled by powerful vocals over pop and slightly punk musical dynamics. She sings of hope while carrying feelings of having lost everything – a contradicting yet, relatable sentiment. Sometimes you feel hope and sometimes you regress back into that pain and despair. But in the end, just keep going and wait out the storm. It will come to pass.
Stream our Mental Wellness playlist here