In “Explaining Depression to My Mother” Sabrina Benaim uses the power of spoken word to communicate with her mother, revealing her struggle with mental illness–specifically,…
In the 1960s, guitarist/songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel wrote a song about suicide. On their surface, the lyrics explain that severe loneliness and…
“One of My Turns” by Pink Floyd is an eerie song describing the instant an individual goes from being stable to having a psychotic breakdown….
‘Trellis’ documents the agony and trauma of young girl reacting to her friend’s sexual assault. The poet, Andrew Gibson uses vivid imagery and rhetoric to…
The National’s “Terrible Love” depicts the personal anguish and loneliness of an individual who suffers from alcoholism. Unable to fall asleep without consuming alcohol, the…
Andrea Gibson is an award-winning poet and activist, whose poetry focuses on gender norms, social reform, and mental health challenges faced by individuals in the…
‘Mirror’, a poem by Sylvia Plath, depicts a woman’s struggle with aging. Plath suffered from mental health problems for most of her adult life; she…
“Invictus” is a short Victorian poem written by William Ernest Henley and published in 1888. He wrote this piece during a lengthy hospital stay for…
“Hip-hop culture is a powerful vehicle for raising awareness about mental health. It is rich with references to psychiatric illnesses that have not been explored,…
‘Flight’ is a song by the band Lifehouse that captures the importance of support from others, in times of difficulty and strife. The lead singer,…
Directed by the Danya Institute, “Living With ADHD” explores the unique experience of parents and adults who have either suffered with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity…
Artist Melissa McCracken was born with a rare neurological condition called Synesthesia. This condition is characterized by a phenomenon, wherein sensory stimulation is automatically experienced…
“The Final Masquerade” is a rock ballad by the band Linkin Park that implies a sense of negativity and foreboding. Interestingly, however, the instrumentals create…
“Still I Rise”, by Maya Angelou, is a poem about the adversity and racism faced by Angelou and many other African-American individuals throughout history. In…
In 1999, artist Mathew Good decided to write a song about his friend who was admitted to a psychiatric institution. The lyrics attempt to describe…
“The Grand Optimist” is written and performed by Dallas Green, of City and Colour. The lyrics convey a sense of losing hope—feelings often described by…
Christian D. Larson (1874 – 1954) was an American New Thought spiritual leader, teacher, and writer. He believed in the power of the individual and…
The music video for “Elastic Heart”, by Australian recording artist Sia, portrays an interpretive dance between a man and child that is meant to depict…
Tom Greening, a clinical psychologist and professor at Saybrook University, uses poetry to express his concerns with the current mental health system. He writes: “As…
Maya Angelou, an author, poet, and civil rights activist depicts the struggle of women in a male-dominated society. Her poetry is intended to raise awareness of women’s…
