Welcome to Episode 10!!!! Wait a minute.... episode 10? Seriously??? Yaaaas! I finally made it!!! Woohoo!!
In today's episode, we are discussing how mental health impacts the music industry.
According to a study done by the University of Westminster and MusicTank of musicians, "68.5% of 2,211 said they had experienced depression, and 71.1% said they had experienced severe anxiety or panic attacks. ( These results show that musicians are 3 times more susceptible to depression than the average person. "
That's a lot. Seriously. There is a big problem of mental health in the music industry, and it is not talked about a lot. Musicians can struggle a lot due to relational issues, financial problems, career struggles, societal pressure, and so much more.
Often times, when we look at music celebs, we think their lives must be amazing because they have these fans, and are making big cash. But that's far from the truth. We often don't realize a celeb is struggling with their mental health until they take their own life...
I had the pleasure of interviewing Brian Zhang on the podcast, who discusses mental health in the music industry in depth.
For over a decade, he taught more than 1,000 students and built a thriving music school. But behind the scenes, he battled major depression—a struggle that began at 17 and followed him through his career.
In 2024, he made a difficult decision: he shut down his school to focus on what mattered most—his mental health and helping other musicians do the same.
Now, through The Mental Musiciannewsletter and social media, Brian shares raw, honest stories about burnout, anxiety, and creative exhaustion—giving musicians the tools to break free from the pressures of the industry and rediscover their love for music.
To hear his insights, check out today's new episode as we dive into the underrated topic of mental health for musicians.
To learn more about Brian, you can check him out here:
https://www.instagram.com/brianzhangmusic
https://www.threads.net/@brianzhangmusic
https://thementalmusician.beehiiv.com/subscribe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-zhang-
Also, if you haven't already and want to stay up to date with the podcast, you can check out more here:
https://www.instagram.com/everythingstorymentalhealth
https://linktr.ee/storytellingmentalhealth
Disclaimer*****
This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as legal, health and professional advice. This podcast and the host are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such physical or mental health conditions. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.
To hear more, visit everythingstorymentalhealth.substack.com