Music, in all different forms, has helped me cope with mental health struggles throughout my entire life.

By Oliver Robbins

Trigger warning: this piece covers topics of mental health that may be triggering for some

When I’m in a stressful situation or I’m having a low day, an easy fix for me is to just breathe and listen to music (Image Courtesy of priyana)

Music has a unique ability to connect you with artists you have never met who are writing songs about experiences or feelings similar to your own. It can allow you to escape from your low feelings, or unhealthy situations and become closer with people in your life. For me, music in all different forms has helped me overcome my mental health struggles throughout my entire life. I don’t remember a time when music wasn’t what I turned to during my low points.

Being stuck in a very toxic home environment during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and not being able to be with the people who helped me escape from this environment previously, was extremely difficult for me. Most days, I wouldn’t get out of bed, I would barely eat, and I didn’t have enough energy to do something as simple as responding to the messages from the people closest to me.

During the summer of 2020, I discovered Phoebe Bridgers after coming across the song “Scott Street” from Bridgers’ first album Stranger in the Alps, and I was immediately hooked. I began listening to everything she had ever released and felt truly understood for the first time in my life. Bridgers has a way with her lyrics and production that makes you feel comforted and understood, and that is exactly what I needed during this time in my life; it felt as though I had found something to save me from this dark hole I was in.

There was one time it really felt like she was saving me in some way. My family went camping with our trailer for a couple of days, being so close in proximity to them for this long was truly my worst nightmare. All I did for those couple of days was sit in the trailer alone or walk around the campground with my headphones on listening to Stranger in the Alps, specifically the songs “Demi Moore,” “Killer,” “Smoke Signals,” “Scott Street” and “Georgia.” These songs are all that got me through those couple of days, had I not discovered Bridgers’ music the week prior, I’m not sure I would have been able to cope even in the slightest. The experience and connection I have had with Bridgers’ music is unlike anything I have ever experienced, but there are still some other artists and bands who have been able to get me through hard times.

Concerts are some of the best cures for me when I’m at my lowest. I had the opportunity to see Bridgers in June of 2022 at the RBC Echo Beach venue in Toronto. That day changed my life. The anticipation that builds in the days leading up to the event, watching the countdown get smaller and smaller and feeling like you’re in a dream sitting on the GO train and standing in line outside of the venue; these are all things before the show even begins that makes you forget about your struggles. It felt like the world stopped for a second when I saw her walk onto the stage for the first time. Seeing your favourite artist in that space is an out-of-world feeling. Being able to feel the music and Bridgers’ voice through my body made my connection to her music even stronger. There is just truly no happier feeling than seeing your favourite artist right in front of you, singing the songs you have been listening to and connecting with for so long. For those couple of hours, I felt like nothing else mattered and I was the happiest I had ever been.

I was also lucky enough to see Boygenius, a band that Bridgers is a part of along with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto in June of 2023 with my girlfriend. They were touring for their most recent album The Record, which happened to come out the same day my girlfriend and I met for the first time. As sad as most of the songs on that album are, we really bonded through listening to it. Getting to see Boygenius live with my girlfriend was so special, and it made us both so happy to be able to experience music so personal and close to us, live.

These shows made me feel like all my problems had gone away for a small period of time and that was exactly what I needed in those moments. Concerts are a great way to cope with mental health struggles and it’s also very helpful to have something so exciting to look forward to.

More recently, Radiohead has been a band I turn to when I’m struggling with my mental health. The distinct production of songs like “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi,” “Just,” “Jigsaw Falling Into Place,” “Exit Music (For A Film),” “Climbing Up the Walls” and “Spectre” encapsulate the low feelings I have. I’m able to connect with the music on a whole new level, focusing less on lyrics as the sound itself somehow makes me feel understood.

As much as these depressing songs have helped me, there are times when I just need music to cheer me up and not to relate to. Tyler, the Creator is an artist whom I can always turn to when I need to switch my mood. I get excited every time I listen to any of his music because of how fun and experimental it is. His music allows me to escape from depressing feelings, and for a little while, I get to forget about all of my problems and just enjoy how good his music makes me feel.

Another musical outlet that has helped me when I am struggling with my mental health is playing guitar. Since I feel so connected to a lot of the songs I listen to, it is often very beneficial for me to learn these songs and be able to play them on the guitar. Playing music releases so many more emotions and allows me to connect even further with songs that hit me so deeply. I find distractions to be very helpful when struggling with my mental health and playing guitar is a great one. Choosing a song and putting all of my attention into learning it has been an incredible tool to help me at my lowest points; it allows me to close off from the world and feel like it is all that matters for a few moments.

Playing guitar has also brought me much closer with my uncle which has been very important to me since I don’t have a very good relationship with most of my family members. Being able to have that relationship with him through playing guitar has made a lot of the mental struggles I face surrounding the lack of relationship with my family a little bit better, and when you’re feeling that low, a little goes a long way. The feeling of finally mastering a song that I’ve been practicing for a while can also improve my mood so much. Knowing that I’m capable of accomplishing something can mean so much to me when I’m not doing well mentally.

Music is one of the most important aspects of my life and without it, I would not be able to cope with any of my struggles. It is always there to bring me out of darkness and it is comforting to know that it will always be there. While music is such a helpful resource when struggling with mental health, it is still incredibly important to engage in professional help and use any resources around you to help you get there. The impact that artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Radiohead and Tyler the Creator have had on my mental health is greater than words can explain and I will forever be grateful that I have music as my support through hard times.

If you're struggling with your mental health, you can find helpful resources on this City of Toronto page. You can also find Toronto Metropolitan University specific resources here.

X University alumna and former CanCulture editor published her debut children's novel discussing feelings of anxiety in young children.

By: Arjot Sandhawalia

While the pandemic has affected everyone, children, in particular, have faced many difficulties and have become more at risk for mental illness. COVID-19 has been stressful on youth for many reasons, such as school closures and other cancelled extracurricular activities. Kids are confined to their homes and have lost the normal structured support that socialization offers. As a result, they’ve turned to activities like reading in order to cope with the stress of the pandemic.

X University alumna Shannon Schaefer’s children's book Rudy’s Belly of Bees is part of the next generation of children's books with a new tone. The main character Rudy is loosely based on Schaefer and her own experiences as a child, according to the author. The story follows the young girl trying to overcome a seemingly regular day, but for her, it is quite scary.

Shannon Schaefer with a copy of her book. (courtesy of Shannon Schaefer)

The story starts with Rudy waking up feeling anxious about competing in her school race. All day Rudy feels alone, both physically and emotionally. Her stomach feels like it is full of bees, and the buzzing does not go away. She lashes out at her other classmates because she is not able to convey her feelings. Her classmate Wyatt grabs an adult, Coach Christine, who is able to help Rudy understand her nervousness and anxiety. The buzzing of the bees seems to disappear as Rudy starts to feel better. The resolution of the book teaches children that it is okay to receive help and it is possible to conquer those upsetting feelings.

The illustrations along with the text allow the reader to truly understand what Rudy is feeling. The bees make multiple appearances throughout the pages to showcase how Rudy is feeling. No matter what she tries, they never leave. The grey and blue colours also help to guide and enhance the reading experience. Whenever Rudy is in her own thoughts, the reader sees the dull colours that reflect her negative emotions. Her world feels dark and scary, but when her coach comes and helps her, the colours shift. The colour yellow is added, which indicates her overcoming her fear. Wyatt also shares his own fears with Rudy which allows her to realize she is not alone. Her world feels brighter and lighter.

*Rudy’s Belly of Bees*, illustrated by Becca Marshall. (courtesy of Shannon Schaefer)

Schaefer started the writing process at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, a time when many felt the weight and anxiety of the unknown. This uncertainty inspired her to write Rudy’s Belly of Bees to teach children about the overwhelming feelings that many of them might experience — feelings that Schaefer herself is familiar with.

“I wanted the belly of bees to bring a person's own understanding into play,” said Schaefer. “Sometimes kids can feel invalidated or talked down to, and using the belly of bees to describe something allows it to be real and validated.”

“I hope in the future more serious topics will be covered in serious ways to allow kids to feel validated, but also written with the understanding of not scaring children,” Schaefer elaborated.

Reading this story as an adult resonates because we all have our inner child and we all can still have a belly of bees. However, as adults, we are able to access resources such as therapy or support groups to overcome and understand our anxieties in a healthy way.

This is why books like Schaefer’s are great ways of teaching children how to deal with their own emotions in a healthy way, as well as how it is okay to ask for and receive help.

“I just want to get the writing into children's hands … to make youth mental health an easier and less taboo topic to talk about,” said Schaefer.

Her plans for the future include writing more children's books based on other issues children face and supporting young children in whatever way possible. Her book has been read in many classrooms and has received many positive reactions from students.

You can purchase Rudy’s Belly of Bees here.