How musicians are opening up about their mental health

Following their lead, an increasing number of artists are speaking up to get the message out that it is OK to talk.

lleo, who makes what she calls “bipolar pop”, said the reaction from her fans had been “crazy” since she starting singing about her mental health experiences.

The singer from Cheltenham, who is bipolar, said: “People reach out and say ‘this song helps me so much’.”

Swindon-born singer-songwriter Athena Aperta, 26, also hopes her “honest lyrics” will give listeners hope.

She has been sober for two years but said her struggles with mental health, alcohol and drugs all intensified after becoming involved in the London music scene, where substance abuse was “very common”.

She said finding a job back near her hometown in 2022 was actually “a blessing in disguise”, helping her to overcome her addiction.

“There are drugs still, there’s people drinking alcohol,” she said, but added she is now able to “regulate herself more” if she is around that environment.