BY JESSIE WANG, LEAD WRITER (COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL AWARENESS)
Sydney musician and charity worker Jessie Wang is a mental health advocate and studies psychology at the University of Sydney.
Just so you know: This story features in-depth discussion surrounding the topics of mental health and anxiety.
We all know a career in the music sector is challenging. We worry about budgets and income. We adopt perfectionistic tendencies. We experience concert stress. And these are just some of the things that make us vulnerable to mental ill health.
Yet, mental health is still a topic to which judgement and shame are commonly attached. Many musicians feel the need to hide mental ill health, and pretend everything is all okay as they take to the stage or spend another day in the studio.
That’s why, in this series, we want to share artists’ real journeys with mental ill health. We hope these stories will start more conversations about mental health, and that people in the music sector will support each other through these very common yet heavily stigmatised experiences.
In this interview in our series Mental Health Sounds Like…, we chat with music therapy student and handpan player Venus Kwong.
About Venus
Venus Kwong is a student music therapist and handpan player in Sydney. In her spare time, she produces YouTube videos and writes blog posts about music, mindset, and mental health on www.hangoutwithv.com.
Hi Venus, thank you for your bravery in sharing your story. Tell us a little about your journey with mental ill health.
The first time I encountered traumatic experiences, I lost interest in everything, music included. I couldn’t even express how I felt musically. It seemed like no music could cheer me up.
But also, thanks to those experiences, I found meaning in life. That led me to pursuing a career in music therapy.
Tell us about your journey to recovery or management of the symptoms you have felt.
I only went to therapy one year after those events. Meanwhile, I had been journalling every single day. There were no particular rules or prompts [in my journal]. It was literally just brain dump! During this process, I learnt about my thought patterns and triggers. I became more conscious and self-aware.
On the other hand, I actively limited my time spent on social media and reading news. That helped me avoid negative emotions and anxiety. At some point, I started writing songs again, and that helped relieve stress.
What have you found to be the most positive support networks or systems offered to you?
Activities that have worked for me are boxing, playing handpan, and a night out with my close friends. The key is to get into a ‘flow state’ – staying focused and engaged in activities that make me forget about time and be fully immersed in that moment.
2020 has been a tough year for most of us, but some also say that it is the year for personal growth. Don’t wait until next year to make a change.
My personal development system goes like this: everything starts from self-awareness. Acknowledge the problems you’re facing. Admit the emotions you’re feeling. From there, create a vision of your future self, and imagine how it feels when you become that ideal self. Then map out a plan, and take consistent baby steps to get there.
Change doesn’t happen overnight. With the right mindset and environment – physical environment and people around you – we can all foster growth.
What’s a misconception about mental ill health that you would like to de-stigmatise?
Many people think mental illness is a sign of weakness. Some refuse to acknowledge it, and some feel embarrassed to seek help. The truth is, it is okay to be not okay. Oftentimes we let our worries, anxiety, and voices in our heads get the best of us. We are paralysed, and we are afraid that the problem will stay with us forever. We might let our diagnosis define who we are. All of a sudden, change sounds terrifying.
But here’s the good news – resilience and courage are things we can develop and get better at. We have the power to change our narratives, our perspectives, and our lives. Whatever you’re experiencing right now, it is temporarily. It is okay to seek help. We all have the power to rewrite our stories.
What can the music industry do to support those experiencing mental ill health?
The music industry should promote music that helps relieve stress, anxiety and depression. [This can be demonstrated in many forms, such as] hosting songwriting classes for people to learn how to express themselves, co-hosting mental health-related workshops with music therapists to promote the health benefits of musicking, and [teaching people] how to use music in the right way that fosters growth and better health.
As a musician who has experienced mental ill health, what message would you like to share with other musicians who have experienced or may be experiencing this in their lives?
Music is a great outlet to express ourselves. It doesn’t always need to be verbal. Humming and drum circles, for example, are great activities for pain relief.
If the mental health issue is affecting your creativity, try other form of artwork – for example, drawing, or creating a change of routine: go for a walk, take a cold shower. If you feel like you should go to therapy [in addition or as an alternative to seeing] a psychologist or counsellor, music therapy, play therapy, or art therapy might be your alternatives.
Say thanks to our writer Jessie Wang for facilitating this conversation
Thanks for supporting Jessie as she volunteers her time to shed light on mental health in her CutCommon series Mental health sounds like...
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Disclaimer: Articles should not be considered as formal mental health advice or support. Please contact your GP or visit headspace.
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