Dany Mireles Some of the biggest names in music are using their platform to share their struggles, making a huge impact. By speaking out, artists such as Shawn Mendes, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and others are not breaking down stigma, but also helping millions feel less alone. When major artists talk openly about their mental health, the effects ripple outward. Fans feel seen and heard. Conversations that once seemed scary to start have slowly become part of daily life. Schools, workplaces, and communities are beginning to place a stronger emphasis on mental wellness because public figures we admired have helped set the tone.
Jhené Aiko: Speaking Out for Healing and Self-Care
Jhené Aiko has long been an advocate for mental health, particularly in addressing the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and emotional healing. Through her music, like the album Souled Out, she explores themes of personal growth, healing, and overcoming emotional pain. Aiko has been candid about her struggles with depression and grief, including the loss of her brother, and she regularly emphasizes the need to be kind to oneself while navigating life’s difficulties. She also speaks openly about therapy and her journey of emotional well-being, encouraging her fans to prioritize mental health and seek help when needed.
Lady Gaga: Turning Pain Into Activism
Lady Gaga has been a powerful advocate for mental health. After sharing her experiences with PTSD and chronic pain, she co-founded the Born This Way Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting mental wellness among youth. Her candid discussions about trauma, healing, and therapy have helped dismantle the shame surrounding mental health struggles, inspiring a generation to prioritize emotional wellbeing just as much as physical health.
Lil Wayne: Advocating for Mental Health in the Hip-Hop Community
Lil Wayne has been outspoken about his own struggles with mental health, including his battles with depression and the traumatic experiences he’s faced. His openness about dealing with mental health issues in the rap industry, a genre that often values strength and stoicism, has been groundbreaking. Wayne has used his platform to discuss the importance of therapy and taking care of one’s mental well-being, challenging the stereotypes around mental health in hip-hop. His vulnerability has helped normalize mental health conversations within communities that may have previously shied away from them.
Billie Eilish: Redefining Strength Through Honest Vulnerability
Billie Eilish has never shied away from talking about depression, body image issues, and suicidal thoughts. Through her music and interviews, she has created a space where vulnerability feels normal rather than taboo. Songs like “everything i wanted” and “idontwannabeyouanymore” offer raw glimpses into her inner world, helping young listeners realize they’re not alone in their feelings. By speaking so honestly, Eilish has become a beacon for Gen Z’s open dialogue about mental health.
Kid Cudi: A Pioneer of Mental Health Conversations in Hip-Hop
Long before conversations about mental health became more mainstream, Kid Cudi was already leading the way. His albums, particularly “Man on the Moon: The End of Day“, captured themes of loneliness, depression, and existential angst. Cudi’s willingness to speak candidly about checking himself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges challenged the norms of a genre that often prizes toughness and emotional stoicism. Today, many newer hip-hop artists cite Kid Cudi as a major influence in being more emotionally honest in their own music.
Megan Thee Stallion: Championing Mental Health for Black Women
Megan Thee Stallion has become an influential voice in both the music industry and in the advocacy for mental health, particularly for Black women. She has openly shared her struggles with the pressures of fame, grief (having lost both her mother and her grandmother), and the challenges of navigating life in the public eye. In addition to her advocacy for physical wellness (through her “Hot Girl Summer” movement), Megan has also encouraged people to take care of their mental health, be vulnerable, and seek help when necessary. Her openness is particularly significant in dismantling the stigma of mental health in communities of color.
Noah Kahan: Using Music to Foster Mental Health Conversations
Noah Kahan has become a powerful voice in mental health advocacy, using his music—especially the song “Hope“—to openly address his struggles with anxiety and depression. His honesty resonates deeply with fans, showing that mental health challenges affect everyone, regardless of success.
During his “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour, Kahan raised over $2.5 million for his nonprofit, The Busyhead Project, which focuses on ending the stigma around mental health. A portion of ticket sales went directly to the foundation, and Kahan also hosted a benefit concert to support the cause. The foundation partnered with Backline to provide free mental health care and wellness days for fans.
Kahan’s work encourages fans to embrace their struggles, seek help, and remember that emotional strength is about accepting, not perfecting, our mental health journey.
SZA: Raising Awareness of Mental Health in the Black Community
SZA, with her emotionally rich and vulnerable lyrics, has addressed mental health topics in her music, focusing on struggles with self-worth, anxiety, and the pressures of relationships. She’s been vocal about her own experiences with anxiety and depression, even describing her mental health battles in interviews and on social media. Through her music, such as her album Ctrl, SZA creates a space for fans to connect over their shared experiences with mental health challenges, particularly within the Black community. Her work encourages self-reflection and self-care, while breaking down harmful societal expectations of perfection.
Shawn Mendes: Giving A Voice to Silent Struggles
Shawn Mendes has been remarkably open about his struggles with anxiety, using his platform to highlight the importance of emotional honesty and even creating a mental health foundation called “The Shawn Mendes Foundation” that focuses on mental health awareness among other issues. Through his music, especially songs like “In My Blood,” “Who I Am,” and “Why Why Why“, he explores his experiences with anxiety and identity. By sharing his journey on stage and in interviews, he reminds fans that struggling with mental health doesn’t make you broken, but makes you human. His openness encourages fans to acknowledge their feelings instead of hiding them, fostering a culture of compassion.
H.E.R.: Advocating for Emotional Wellness and Healing
R&B artist H.E.R. has also become a voice for mental health, especially among young people of color. She’s discussed her experiences with vulnerability, self-doubt, and emotional struggles, and how she’s found healing through music. H.E.R.’s music often touches on themes of self-love and introspection, encouraging listeners to embrace their imperfections and focus on personal growth. She’s also spoken out about the importance of seeking help when dealing with emotional and mental health challenges, helping to normalize these conversations in a space that’s often not very open about mental illness.
Other Artists Leading The Way
Beyond these names, artists like Demi Lovato, Logic, Selena Gomez, and Sam Smith have also made substantial impacts. Demi Lovato has been outspoken about living with bipolar disorder, addiction, and eating disorders. Logic’s Grammy-nominated song “1-800-273-8255” directly addresses suicide prevention, even leading to a measurable uptick in calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Selena Gomez has opened up about her experiences with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, while Sam Smith has discussed battles with body image and self-esteem.
Each of these artists reminds us that success and struggle are not mutually exclusive, and that fame does not immunize anyone from mental health challenges. The bravery of these musicians doesn’t just heal their audiences — it pushes society toward greater empathy, understanding, and action. And in a world where the need for compassion has never been greater, their voices have never been more vital.
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