One of the most important developments of 2017 was the willingness of artists to share their struggles with mental health and spread awareness through their music.
In the 90’s, a few artists sang about their struggles with depression and anxiety but many people didn’t hear it.
Without streaming services and compact discs (yes, CDs!) costing anywhere between $14-$25 many youth and younger adults missed out.
Currently, there are several streaming services available with Spotify and Apple Music being the most popular. Nearly everyone has access to any song they want at any time!
In 2017, many artists began to share pieces of themselves with their audience.
Hip-hop, country, pop, and rock artists all seemed to embrace this and share their struggles through their music.Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran, and Logic to name a few.
As a result, mental health and substance abuse are less stigmatized and because of these artists, our youth are more comfortable than ever asking for help.
Even musician and rapper Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, has given a TED talk about his struggles!
As we march on into 2018, it is expected that more artists will feel compelled to share their experiences with the world.
People will listen and more dialogue for awareness and prevention must take place. Perhaps we are witnessing a paradigm shift in the industry? Maybe this is the catalysts for other industries to change? Hopefully.
If you or someone you love suffers from mental illness or substance abuse, say something!
Additional reading
- Why 2017 Was Finally The Year Artists Spoke Up About Mental Health by Claire Lobenfeld (December 21, 2017)
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