Mental health awareness is a focused on throughout the month of may so in this article I will touch on why it’s important to speak out when we are struggling and why building connections with others is vital . I’ll also be covering a few other topics including lyrics and songs that are important to me and others, how mental health impacts us in ways we don’t realise on a daily basis and why this week is very important to me personally.

The last two years have been challenging for us as a society being isolated has really took its toll on us. Statistics show that the populations mental health has decreased over the last 2 years with suicide rates rising, crisis lines having to deal with various new patients and world issues causing everyone to worry about what’s coming next. Now more than ever I feel like it’s time to try break the stigmas that surround mental health we have all heard the phrase “ it’s okay not to be okay” and it’s true there’s nothing wrong with feeling down but what we need to do is remember it’s okay to ask for help. We all struggle at the best of times but are scared to talk about what our issues our for various different reasons maybe someone disregarded your issues in the past and your scared you won’t be listened to again? Maybe you just don’t know how to approach the subjects or maybe your just scared of being judged by someone. Sometimes it’s hard when you are in a bad place mentally to accept that people do care for us and that we are loved and appreciated it’s about reminding the ones we care for and love just how important they are to us. Reach out to friends, family even strangers check in on others there’s enough negativity in the world it’s time to stand together and break the stigma surrounding mental health.

For me personally this is a very important subject to speak about and it’s something I’ve never spoken about publicly before so I’m a bit nervous. I’m going to open up about my own mental health journey and give people an insight into the life of an autistic person who suffers with mental health issues. So I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and social anxiety in 2020 and it was a relief to be diagnosed if I’m honest in the months leading up to the diagnosis I was constantly having panic attacks while going to college I was struggling to get on the bus by myself and I had no idea what was wrong with me. I would get overly emotional and worry about the slightest things to the point where I would drink to try stop this. This lead to be having a mental breakdown and a failed suicide attempt in the summer of 2020 after this is when I was diagnosed properly and given the necessary support needed at that time. Living alone really does have a huge impact on me as I struggle to complete basic tasks so have a lot of help from my support workers who do a wonderful job with encouraging me and helping me grow as a person. I had been self harm free for almost 14 months until I relapsed at the start of this year the isolation over Christmas time took its toll on me and got to much and I attempted suicide once again. This was a real eye opener for me and made me realise I had to be more open about my struggles I can’t cope on my own I shouldn’t be ashamed to say I’m struggling. 5 months later I’m doing better I’m taking my medication I’m socialising more often ( it comes with it’s struggles but that’s to be expected) don’t get me wrong I still have bad days I still have days I don’t want to get out of bed or socialise with anyone but all I can say if I’m doing my best and that’s all that matters.

As someone who is diagnosed with autism I always struggled to fit in growing up I never really connected well with others I always struggled in social situations so I would isolate myself. I think that’s why I fell in love with music it was something I could connect with and relate to. There was always a genre of music for whatever mood I was feeling at the time and that was really comforting. As an adult I now use music as a coping mechanism to distract myself even if it’s just for 3 minutes where I can get lost in the music I’ll take it every day of the week. The return of live music last year really did improve my mental state being able to go out and experience the thrill of a gig brought me so much joy and I know I’m not the only one who felt this way.

As mentioned previously music is something that is important to me and I’m going to share some of the songs and lyrics that I connect with on a personal level.

Biffy Clyro – Machines

The song taken from the 4th studio album Puzzle is probably one of my favourite songs ever. The record Puzzle was written during the time period where frontman Simon Neil lost his mother so a lot of the lyrics are about dealing with that. I discovered the record when I had just lost my Nana so it was a very unique and powerful feeling the first time I heard the song I instantly connected I was emotional because I felt that pain I felt the devastation of loosing someone close to you only weeks before. The acoustic track is powerful and moving and if you haven’t heard it I would 100% check it out.

“Cause I’ve started falling apart I’m not savoring life

I’ve forgotten how good it could be to feel alive”

Neck Deep: Wish You Were Here

I song I discovered during lockdown a few months after my grandad passed away this one hit me hard. Me and my grandad had a great relationship over the last few years we had bonded a lot more since the passing of my Nana because we only had each other so loosing him was very tough on me. The song speaks about missing the small things you done with someone moments we don’t appreciate until it’s far to late. It’s a sad pop punk anthem for anyone dealing with loosing someone it could be a broken heart, the death of a loved one or even a friendship breakup no matter the situation the lyrics can be related to. Depending on your mental state/ mood this one could be a very rough listen but it’s a beautiful song.

“But worst of all, I wish I’d called at least a thousand times or more
Just to hear what I’ve been missing”

“’Cause a picture is all that I have

To remind me that you’re never comin’ back

If I picture it now it just makes me sad

And right now I just wish you were here

Don’t say everything’s meant to be

‘Cause you know it’s not what I believe

Can’t help but think that it should’ve been me

In the end, I just wish you were here”

Sam Fender – Dead Boys

Seeing one of the most popular artists in Britain today tackle such issues as mental health and suicide really is a breath of fresh air. Dead boys covers the difficult topic of male suicide which is still a very uncomfortable top topic for males in 2022. The song specifically focuses on Sam articulating how he felt when someone he knew took their life. As you can imagine Dead Boys is a powerful yet beautiful track summing up raw emotions during a period of confusion.

“We all tussle with the black dog
Some out loud and some in silence
Everybody ’round here just drinks
‘Cause that’s our culture”

“We close our eyes
Learn our pain
Nobody ever could explain
All the dead boys in our hometown”

Sam Fender – The Dying Light

Not necessarily a sister track to Dead Boys but there are references to the track released a few years prior.

“And those dead boys are always there

There’s more every year”

During promotional interviews for his hit record Seventeen Going Under the meaning behind The Dying Light was discussed and Sam spoke about writing the song when he was at his lowest it’s from the perspective of someone who is considering taking their own life but in the end decides to keep fighting another day not for them but for the ones who care about them most. The lyrics definitely reflect this and the piano ballad is a very soft and gentle track to start with gradually builds into a rock anthem with a darker message behind it.

“But I’m damned if I give up tonight

I must repel the dying light

For Mom and Dad and all my pals

For all the ones who didn’t make

The night”

A Tribute To An Icon

As of starting this it’s the 9th of May and today is the 4 year anniversary of the passing of one of the best lyricists and songwriters our country has produced Scott Hutchinson. The lead singer of the band Frightened Rabbit was always open and honest about his struggles sharing them in his own beautiful way through his powerful lyrics. Some of the most raw lyrics I’ve ever heard come from this man and I know these lyrics resonate with so many others. I don’t think it would be fair to do a list like this and not mention Scott his music touched so many and as a tribute to him I will share below some of my personal favourite lyrics and tracks by Scott. As a bonus I have asked some other fans what there favourite or most meaningful lyrics written by Scott over his various projects are and those will be shared below.

What are your favourite lyrics by Scott and why are they important to you?

Frightened Rabbit – The Modern Leper

The first track I ever heard by Frightened Rabbit was Modern Leper I first heard it after Scott had passed and Biffy Clyro covered it I adored the lyrics and had to find out more. This was my first experience of just how brilliant Scott was as a songwriter.

“I am ill but I’m not dead

And I don’t know which of those I’d prefer”

A lyric that sticks with me every day in life it’s funny because we all interpret things differently in life. My interpretation of this lyric is that it is just a beautiful and cruel way of describing dealing with depression. A very relatable lyric for me personally and is one that will always stick with me.

“Sit with me and we’ll start again and you can tell me all about what you did today.” from Modern Leper. It reminds me that you can always start over, every day.

“I have fallen in a forest did you hear me?”

Frightened Rabbit – The Loneliness and the Scream

Owl John – Cold Creeps

For me, it’s an owl john song

A single silver thread
Strung around my neck
No one knows it’s there
Cause no one thought to check

Speaks to how invisible depression can be, and how lonely

“There’s a life beyond the one you already know”

Frightened Rabbit – Lump Street

“There is light but there’s a tunnel to crawl through”
For me it acknowledges the darkness but also sees the light.

Frightened Rabbit – Nitrous Gas

“Shut down the gospel singers and
Turn up the old heartbreakers
I’m dying to tell you that I’m dying here
Throw up the sickly joy and I’ll
Swallow the sweet self-loathing I’m
Just dying to be unhappy again”
Nitrous Gas

I’ve just always loved the intense beauty of this song. The lyrics are so somber and sad but the music so hopeful?

“I’m dying to tell you that I’m dying here”. An incredibly powerful, desperately honest lyric.

“All is not lost.”
Such a simple line but so much meaning. However bad things get, it’s always true that all is not lost. I had this line tattooed on my arm as a constant reminder

Frighten Rabbit – State Hospital

They are the lyrics that hit me like a ton of bricks, when i knew Scott knew exactly what it was like for me as a chronically deeply depressed person –
from Oil Slick “there is love, but its misery loves you” turns into “there is love, but misery loves you” – that’s my life.
From Modern Leper, “I am ill but I’m not dead, I’m not sure which of those I prefer”
Living Colour – “whispers that the sickness will go away” when you know it absolutely won’t –
the hope & hopelessness tied together in one line. Just heartbreaking but there is also a power that keeps many of us alive – that he knew exactly what we are feeling & expressed it like we never could

Frightened Rabbit – Not Miserable

“Though the corners are lit, the dark can return with the flick of a switch. it hasn’t turned on me yet”

Always struck a chord with me because a lot of my adult life so far feels like i’ve been trying to push back that feeling of existential dread and like i’m not doing enough with myself on a daily basis and hearing that really helps to centre me. i’m okay right now and that’s what matters.

“I’m in the arch of the church, between her thumb and her forefinger, I’m a worshipper.”

Frightened Rabbit – Get Out

“In the hollow chapel, suffering in silence, you’re the choir that signs this otherwise disappointing life back to life.” – Otherwise Disappoint Life
“I won’t get in line. I will not wait for this. With my bare hands I kill just to be candlelit with you.”
“So let the suitors come. I can see them off one by one. Open every last artery up just for a second of your time.” – Candlelit (really that entire song)
“And the fast blood hurricanes through me. And then it rips my roof away with her fire hands. This is the longest kiss goodnight.” – Fast Blood
To me these are perfect summations of Scott’s romantic side and they cut right to my heart. I view “Candlelit” as an allegory to The Odyssey, which is one of my favorite stories. A man hellbent to get across the world and through every challenge man and the gods throw at him just so he can get to his wife.

Frank Turner – A Wave Across The Bay

This one isn’t a song that Scott wrote but I couldn’t not include this one. This a song written about Scott by one of his friends and dealing with his loss. Filled with heartbreak and acceptance the lyrics are some of realist I’ve ever heard. This song makes me cry every time I hear it the pure emotion it brings is just beautiful yet heartbreaking. Learning to deal with grief and loss is a long process and the way Frank sums up all of these emotions is perfect. He had mentioned that he wanted to write a song in a similar way to that Scott did and you definitely can hear that in the songwriting just a beautiful tribute and celebration to a friend that is sadly no longer with us.

Following the tragic death of Scott his family set up a charity in his honour. Tiny Changes is a charity that focuses on the importance of being open about our mental health. Since the formation of the charity they have done incredible work to support and encourage thousands across Scotland to be more open and honest about their struggles with mental health

I will leave their links below for you to check out and support their cause.

• https://tinychanges.com/
• https://twitter.com/tinychanges?s=21&t=77p0ZqAOQ_PGztT_Ba7IYQ
• https://instagram.com/tinychanges?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• https://www.facebook.com/tinychanges/

Here are some quotes from the statement the family put out when the charity first started.
“Mental health, and young people’s mental health in particular, was a cause close to Scott’s heart. He often spoke openly of his own struggles as an anxious child, even naming his band “Frightened Rabbit” after a nickname given to him by his Mum. Tragically, the weight of his ill health became too great for him to carry as an adult.

“We want to continue the legacy that Scott built. To channel the energy he generated in people all over the world into positive action on mental health among young people and to make tiny changes to Earth”

“The charity has at its heart a passion for changing how young people in Scotland are affected by mental health issues. We want to see a Scotland where young people are listened to when they talk about their mental health. Where young people can access the support they need, when they need it. A country where young people are feeling better, not worse. And where youth mental health issues do not prevent people from fulfilling their potential as adults.”

The importance of speaking out when we are struggling can not be understated. Check in on the ones you love, the loud ones, the happy ones, the quiet ones. We all all struggle in our own ways and checking in on someone could make more of a difference than you realise.