Everclear frontman Art Alexakis talks candidly with us about the way discussions surrounding mental health have changed in the time he has been hard at work creating songs that resonate with so many loyal listeners.

“I think mental health conversations have taken a quantum leap forward because back in the day it was just -- you didn't talk about it, you didn't talk about mental health,” Art tells us. "Speaking about your own mental health,” he says, “meant you were weak, that you were sick,” or it meant that at your essence “you were different. That you weren't as good as other people.”

“The sad thing about it is it's always been a thing,” he explains. “Every family has mental health issues; just about every person does. Instead of looking at mental health as a problem, instead of looking at it like something to keep up on, and get tune-ups, and work on it like you would your regular health -- like working out, diet… Now that people are having more conversations about it, I think it's come a long way.”

Keeping that conversation going with younger generations is the key, and it is up to us to help provide those tools for success. “I grew up in a time -- in between Baby Boomer and Gen-Z -- where there wasn't a lot of tools with the medications for mental health, and now there's so many of them,” he adds. “My youngest daughter went through some issues with that during COVID, as did a lot of kids, and I think a lot of tools that I've given her is like therapy, medication, understanding, being able to network with other people and other kids… to know that she's not alone.”

“I think that's the biggest thing,” he says of the simple fact of knowing that you’re not the only one struggling. “It's the alienation that makes people give up hope. If it wasn't for music, and my music, and me creating music, my mental health would not be anywhere near where it is now. I'm very grateful for what I do for a living and I'm in my sixties; I'm still playing guitar, in a Rock n’ Roll band.”

“My mental health is something that I have been keeping up all my life,” Art adds, “with my sobriety. I've been sober 35 years. For me, mental health and sobriety, and my higher power and my family, they're all interconnected and I think they are for most people. It just takes people a while to figure it out.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Joe Cingrana

During a recent chat with Audacy’s Mike Adam, Halsey opened up about her mental health when it comes to bullying. Sharing how she’s learned to heal those past wounds and face those challenges now, as an adult.

“You know, I think when I was younger, I felt really different than everybody else. I don't know, I just felt like, I would wonder sometimes like if I was born wrong, you know what I mean?,” Halsey shared.

Recalling “it varied,” when it came to what she got picked on for. “I moved a lot when I was a kid. So I was kind of always starting at a new school which you know, sets you off for an immediate disadvantage.”

“When I was little, it was like my appearance,” Halsey recalled, “I had glasses and like big rabbit teeth and frizzy hair… freckles. I literally got made fun… shoved into lockers and stuff… It was my appearance.”

“As I was older,” she continued, “it kind of got a little bit more personal. I came out in high school so, I was bi in high school in a town where, like… everyone was straight or closeted. So I definitely took a lot of heat for that. And I started experimenting with my appearance pretty early too, I had really short hair in high school and I started getting tattoos… and I was into weird music and weird hobbies.”

“I think that being different, people are afraid of things they don't understand. I think sometimes that fear also comes from perhaps like an internal desire to understand,” Halsey added. “When people are young and they don't know who they are, they can get really easily provoked or triggered by a person who seems like they really do know who they are. Because it makes them have to reflect on themselves, and be like, ‘gosh would I be that brave to wear that or do that?’”

“I learned that as an adult,” Halsey admitted, “so it kind of helps me, look back and heal that part of me. When it comes to coping with bullying, I always try to remind myself that other people's opinions of me, no matter how much they feel like they matter, they really, really truly don’t. And that at the end of the day, your reputation is not the same as your character.”

“If you know who you are, and you continue to grow, and be and exist in honor of that person, then the people who love you, and who respect you, and who are going to become your community like your village, they will find you because that sense of self will be loud enough for them to hear and flock to you.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Mike Adam

Amid their Greatest Hits celebrations, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale looks back at the beginning of the band's tenure and how discussions surrounding mental health have changed in a positive way since his start in the early '90s.

Gavin tells us, “The ‘90s was an amazing time, but I've found that the whole discussion around mental health has really improved drastically over the years, to the point where it's not shameful for men to talk about their feelings.”

“It's not shameful for people to own up that don't feel good,” he adds, “and I think in some ways, the strength of our band Bush is that sort of understanding of people and knowing that people are just suffering all the time -- and it's really, really good to have outlets.”

Music, for Rossdale, “is such powerful force – such a powerful elixir,” he says, “it's the best thing to make music that gives people comfort. And there seems to be a lot of a common theme that when I meet people, they've felt that the band has really been there for them emotionally, and that's the greatest compliment we could ever receive.”

When it comes to managing his own mental health, “Like anyone when you feel down and you feel a bit isolated, music can be your best friend,” he explains. “The words or the music -- the way it makes you feel -- can give you that sort of sense of power. Whatever way I feel, there are many bands that will just elevate me and get me out of that bad space.”

Gavin, a father of three, says he tries to teach his children about “self-sufficiency” when it comes to their mental health, and “being empowered” instead of “relying on others for what they think of you, and not relying [on] others to give you the confidence… The feelings should come [from] within. Now, that doesn't mean it's easy for them -- it's really challenging -- but it's all about people's insecurities, and as a father, I just want to make them feel secure. They're strong, individual people, and want to succumb to the inconsistencies of people's opinions about you and stuff like that. The way people judge people and shame you in different ways. You know, it's a jungle out there, so it's a daily thing.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Joe Cingrana

During a recent chat with Audacy, We Can Survive 2024 performer Khalid opened up about his relationship with his mental health, and the different outlets he uses to help him find “mental focus and clarity.”

“Long walks,” Kendrick expressed, “we sleep on walks, but they are so important. I feel like my walking through the pandemic over the past few years definitely has improved. You know, you start walking one mile, you start walking two, you start walking five. It gives me time to reflect on my life and the path that I've led.”

“You can either choose to listen to music,” Khalid continued, “you can choose to listen to the wind. I feel like long walks have definitely helped me gain a lot of mental focus and clarity.”

On the total opposite side of that spectrum, Khalid was asked about his relationship with his phone, a technological appendage no one seems to be without these days. “I mean, I feel like I'm an average phone user.” he shared, “I kind of stay out the way.” When it comes to social media, Khalid noted that it has “transformed into a different place. I feel like I'm a little outdated and trying to catch up with the times here and there. But yeah, it's pretty average, pretty healthy.”

Khalid is part of the impressive Audacy We Can Survive 2024 lineup alongside Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone, Tate McRae, New Kids On The Block, and Isabel LaRosa. Making it’s return for it’s 11th year, We Can Survive supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, because talking about mental health has the power to save lives. Taking place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Get tickets HERE.

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Mike Adam

Taking just a small amount of time at the beginning of the day to gather your thoughts, lay out a plan, and set small goals can make a major difference as you strive for a more sound body and mind.

Recently, 25-year-old singer Gracie Abrams told us how she has been navigating the world since a young age by finding time, no matter how limited, to focus solely on herself and clearing her headspace.

“Honestly, I feel like this just comes with being an adult more so now,” Gracie tells us, but it has been little things, “like waking up really early and making sure I actually do have time for myself before the day starts,” that has been a “huge” driving force for her.

“I've been waking up early and going on walks in the morning outside, that's been big,” she adds. “That, in most instances, can be done anywhere with any amount of time,” Gracie says. “That's my current advice.”

Another “massively important” tool Abrams has kept handy, has been writing down her thoughts as a way to keep her well-being in check. “I've always journaled,” she admits. “That has always felt like my instinct when I have been in periods of feeling like I've needed to regulate my mental health a bit more.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Joe Cingrana

During a conversation with Audacy, We Can Survive 2024 performers New Kids On The Block discussed how conversations about mental health have evolved throughout their career, as well as how music has played a part in maintaining their mental health.

“Big time,” Joey McIntyre noted, “I think there's like less stigma attached to it," Jordan Knight added about the differences he’s noticed.

He continued, “I think with media and with the technology, a lot of people are getting bombarded with just messages, just getting lost in their cell phones and maybe not communicating or being social enough. And I think that's probably what's maybe contributing to some of it.”

With that said, Jordan did note, “But I do think what's good about it is that people are more open as well with social media, they're just like telling their story on social media and they're reaching out and… it’s like a community. People are helping each other out. It's more like it's normal, like just talk about it."

As for how music has played a part in maintaining their mental health. “It's a great outlet for all of us. When we make an album, when we write songs, I know Joey can attest, we really are able to express a lot," Donnie Wahlberg shared.

“When we did our reunion in 2008, I mean, I was acting and doing a whole different career, and I was going through a lot in my life," Donnie continued. “Music really helped me get through it, it helped me express myself, it helped me vent, it helped me deal with a lot of different things.”

“But, you know, we hear it all the time from our fans too. I can't tell you how many fans have come up and said your music was there when I was at my lowest point and that music helped get me through it."

Noting, “Of course, we always like to acknowledge our fans for having the strength to have gotten through whatever they were going through. I think our music may have been a little helper, but they actually did the hard work.” Before reiterating, “Whether you're writing it or listening to it or performing it's a great outlet to deal with a lot.”

“But again, that’s not gonna be the answer for everyone.” Circling back to how much mental health conversations and practices have changed, Donnie continued. “As Jordan was saying, it's a different time now people can share more, there's more resources, there are more places for people to reach out. I mean, when we were kids, there was nothing… nowhere to reach out.”

“In fact, if you said you were having mental health struggles, you'd probably be told to shut up and get on stage or, you know, deal with it,” Donnie said. “It was a different world, but fortunately now it is different, and hopefully music experiences and musicians, and just getting the word out can help people to know, if we can deal with it or if we can express our vulnerabilities, it will encourage other people to do the same."

New Kids On The Block are part of the impressive Audacy We Can Survive 2024 lineup alongside Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone, Tate McRae, Khalid, and Isabel LaRosa. Making it’s return for it’s 11th year, We Can Survive supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, because talking about mental health has the power to save lives. Taking place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Get tickets HERE.

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Maia Kedem

Keith Urban may appear unhuman with his next-level guitar skills, but when it comes to emotions and life struggles, the Country superstar has walked through his fair share of challenges, just like the rest of us.

During a recent interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal, Urban took some time to chat in solidarity with I’m Listening, Audacy’s mental health initiative. The “Better Life” singer shared parts of his experience dealing with his own mental health to let fans know they’re not alone.

“I feel like I’ve had so many portals that I’ve walked through,” he said of the challenges he’s faced across his lifetime. “They’re all works in progress, but asking for help is probably number one — that’s the hardest thing to do.”

Understanding it’s much easier said than done, Urban talked about some of the biggest intimidation factors that go into the big ask. “Sometimes, we don’t know who to ask for help,” he expressed. “We don’t trust people and we can get the wrong help. Like, wrong advice. You can have several people being like, ‘This is what you should do,' and they’re all wrong.”

He continued, “That’s why it’s a process, but at some point, something becomes clear…. It’s about how we feel today, right now. Could I feel better?”

At 56 years old, Urban understands some might feel it’s “too late” to make a change, regardless of how they feel, but he’s the first to say it’s never too late. “It’s never too late to break the chain… it’s not too late,” he stated. “The idea of, ‘Man, I should’ve done this years ago, I would’ve had a better life.’ There might be a bit of life ahead of you — that could be better if you deal with it now. It’s never too late.”

Hear more from Keith about his mental health journey above.

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

During a recent chat with Audacy, Zedd opened up about the lifestyle changes he made while making his latest album, that he views as useful tools to help him maintain his mental health.

“I honestly think I would have never finished this album if it wasn’t for me finding a lifestyle and routine that keeps me sane," Zedd revealed. Sharing that "making this album was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. I have not felt this burnt out in a long time.”

Talking about his routine, Zedd shared it started with “taking care of my physical health.” Noting that he “stopped drinking,” before amending that he drinks “occasionally,” as opposed to his past habit of drinking “at every show.” Another part of Zedd’s new routine includes getting “at least 9 hours of sleep every night,” writing down “every calorie I drank or ate into a spreadsheet and made sure to stay in a caloric deficit when I needed to, and in a surplus when I needed to.”

"Then one of the most important things… especially when you’re in a time crunch to finish something, is to not work to much," Zedd said. Admitting "this sounds a little bit counter intuitive and some people think you just gotta grind through it." In his opinion, "when you do anything that is creative you’re mental state is so crucial, it will feed everything else. So I made my studio chunks short enough every day, to where I could actually be excited to continue working on the thing that I didn’t get to finish yesterday.”

“After dinner, no more music,” Zedd said of the studio time boundaries he set for himself, noting “of course it happens sometimes, but after dinner I would stop making music and I would play video games with the boys.” Adding, “We get into Discord and we start gaming, or just talking for a few hours before bed, and that’s sort of my wind down.”

Zedd went on to say, “I think having lots of sleep, lots of workout,” noting the latter as “another crucial thing,” along with “ice baths every morning”… “Starting my days with that and just getting healthy improved my mental state a lot. And being well rested and inspired is what contributed to me making the most honest album that I’ve ever made, it’s because I felt like myself.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Mike Adam