Rebecca Manzi Imagine Dragons have always been committed to raising awareness about mental health, also due to their frontman's long struggle with depression and anxiety
The band Imagine Dragons, led by their frontman Dan Reynolds, has long been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, known for their openness and honesty regarding their personal struggles with depression and anxiety.
“Music became my lifeline”
Reynolds has dealt with depression since a young age, often sharing how he felt “different” from other children and how music became his lifeline. He frequently emphasizes that therapy is one of the key factors that has saved his life.
The band has woven these themes into their lyrics, offering fans a means to relate and find comfort. Songs like “Demons” and “I Don’t Like Myself” openly address the internal battles with pain and darkness.
Reynolds has used concerts, such as the one at Madison Square Garden, as platforms to speak openly about the need to combat the stigma surrounding depression and therapy, encouraging everyone to seek help without shame.
“Your life Is always worth living”
In a video that went viral online, Reynolds delivers a powerful speech at the Budweiser Stage about the importance of seeking support from friends, parents, family members, and, most importantly, psychologists and competent professionals when struggling, without feeling weak. Here are his deeply moving words:
“Stay with us. Don’t hold in your feelings. Don’t keep these things inside. It doesn’t make you strong. Talk to your parents. Talk to your friends. Talk to anyone. Talk. Let it out. Express yourself. Don’t hold in your feelings. If possible, go to therapy. I’ve been in therapy since I was very young. It doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t make you weak, it doesn’t make you broken. It makes you grow. It makes you smart. Prepare yourself for your future. The great things you will do, that you will share with us—today may be hard, but tomorrow can be much better. Today may be hard, but tomorrow can be much better. We need you. Your life is always worth living. We love you.”
This commitment to mental health advocacy is also evident in the band’s 2023 documentary on Hulu, “Imagine Dragons Live in Vegas.” The film not only celebrates their musical journey but also sheds light on the mental challenges faced by the band’s members. This project is yet another example of their determination to use their experiences to inspire and support those facing similar issues.
Through their music, concerts, and documentaries, Imagine Dragons are working in their own way to change the perception of mental health, making these topics more accessible and less taboo. And if even one person, after seeing this video, finds the courage to seek help, then they have succeeded in their most important mission.
