LTATM EP 7 - Musician’s on Mental Health
Hello, and welcome to Episode 7 of Let's Talk About The Music. On the show today, we are going have a conversation with Nance from Guilded Lilly and Australian solo artist Helen Parris on songs they have written concerning mental health.
Mental health is an important topic and deserves to be de-stigmatized. Over 200 mental health conditions (also known as mental disorders or psychiatric disorders) are recognized by professionals. Here are some of the most prevalent with very brief synopses:
Anxiety disorders: The most common mental health issue in the United States, affecting about 40 million adults.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A mental health condition characterized in part by difficulty in focusing.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A mental health disorder involving developmental delays and struggles with processing information.
Bipolar disorder: A common mental health illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think clearly.
Borderline Personality Disorder: A mental illness that causes people to have unstable emotions, which can lead to impulsive actions and chaotic relationships.
Depression: Affects 264 million people worldwide with chronic depressive episodes.
Dementia: A common mental health disorder that primarily affects older/elderly individuals with dramatic memory loss and cognitive issues.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance.
Schizophrenia: A complex, long-term mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Individuals with this disorder battle intrusive, repetitive thoughts and irrational impulses.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition that develops from intense traumatic situations and events.
Fortunately, mental health conditions have received more positive attention in recent years, and great advances are being made in both counseling and medication treatments.
Did you know there is a lot of music written about mental health? This episode of LTATM covers a selection of 26 excellent songs on the topic. Tune in to see how many you recognize—you may find some that you didn’t even know were on mental health issues. We consider each song’s message and how it impacted us.
We also have an honest discussion over how Nance, Helen, and yours truly cope with our own mental health needs and find support when we need it. Noone should feel alone in their struggle!
Helen Perris, Singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia
Helen is a gifted storyteller who wears her heart on her sleeve. With classical training, contemporary sensibilities, and a background in musical theater, Helen refuses to settle in one style or commit to one genre. Her autobiographical songs travel between whimsy and heartbreak. She owns the Helen Perris Music Studio where she works full-time. Helen strives to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment for piano and singing students, no matter the level of experience.
Helen's latest EP, Remove This Shield, has powerful themes of mental health, grief, healing, and resilience. In particular, check out “Pins & Needles,” “Be There,” “Crown,” “Diamond,” and “As the Weather Turns.”
Nance from Guilded Lilly and Bend
Nance previously visited us in Episode 5 with her band Guilded Lilly. She graciously returned on her own to talk with us about mental health. Guilded Lilly is an indie folk/blues/rock band, while Bend (made up of Brandon, Nance, and Dan) favors indie emo. Both bands create magic with original music and fresh and unique takes on their snazzy cover versions.
The songs you should definitely visit are “Renegade” and “GO!” from Blue House Sessions, “Tired” from Spanish Valley LIVE!, “Release” from Middle Finger Musings (all Guilded Lilly); and Bend’s “Pretty Pretty Princess” from What a Ride.
Note that all of these are easily accessible via the Spotify playlist created for the show!
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Nance from Guilded Lilly and Bend
Helen Perris -
Solo Artist from Australia
Spotify playlists consist of the songs that were selected and discussed during the episodes of our podcast.
