Fame Vs. Feelings: Lola Young and Mental Health in Music
- Garid Garcia
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Although the music scene can look glamorous, long hours and restless nights behind the scenes sometimes cause artists to struggle with mental health. It's not about just making music; it's about being mentally strong while doing so. There is a fear of being seen as weak in a creative space, and because of this, some artists decide to hide what they are going through.
British singer Lola Young has been very vocal about her struggles with mental health. After rising to fame quickly, she faced intense expectations from her fans and the music community. She had been vocal about her journey with anxiety and emotional ups and downs. The spotlight and pressure weren't helping with that.
Young's music often reflects her real-life situations, keeping a very open book into her struggles with mental health. At the age of 17, she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and ADHD. She has also experienced physical setbacks, including vocal chord damage and even collapsing during a live performance, which then forced her to step back and focus more on her mental health. She took to social media to let fans in on what she was going through. Her honesty and bravery showed that success can not mask personal struggles.
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Back in April of 2025, the New York Times released an article about the singer titled “Can Lola Young Make It Big Without Breaking” which highlighted that Lola Young and music legend Amy Winehouse worked with the same manager, Shymansky. Given Young’s history with substance abuse and mental illness, fans quickly compared her to the late legend.
Many artists feel that they need to be perfect in the spotlight. Social media is adding to that pressure, since the world has a direct view of you and can decide how it perceives you. This can lead to feelings of isolation and burnout. Most artists don't speak out when struggling with mental health, but instead bottle it up to try to be a good image for the community until they can't take it anymore, and the lid pops off.
Conversations are now changing in the music industry, and artists are being encouraged to put their mental health first despite what the fans may want. Setting boundaries and showing what an artist needs for their mental health is incredibly important and will help an artist's career in the long run when taking on a lot.
LONG STORY SHORT: The music industry can be exciting but also mentally demanding. Every song has a person with feelings behind it, and we can't forget that. Accepting their honesty and the need to improve their mental health should come before fame.
Mental Health Resources
Access to reliable mental health support is essential. The following national resources provide free, confidential assistance, information, and referrals for individuals seeking help:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Individuals in emotional distress can call or text 988, or access online chat via https://988lifeline.org. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline
Call 1-800-662-4357 or visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline for treatment referrals and information related to mental health and substance use disorders.
A confidential and anonymous resource locator available at https://findtreatment.gov, helping individuals find mental health and substance use treatment facilities nationwide.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline
Call 1-800-950-6264 or visit https://www.nami.org/help for support, education, and connections to local services.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 or visit https://www.crisistextline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text, available 24/7.
211 Helpline (United Way)
Dial 211 or visit https://www.211.org to access local resources, including mental health services, housing assistance, and community support.
Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990, or visit https://www.samhsa.gov/ddh for immediate counseling for those experiencing emotional distress related to disasters.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 or visit https://www.thehotline.org for confidential support and resources for individuals experiencing domestic violence.
The Trevor Project
LGBTQ+ youth can call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org for crisis intervention and support.
Visit https://www.mentalhealth.gov for general information, education, and guidance on mental health conditions and care.
Free Mental Health Resources for Musicians:
Backline Care: Backline Care
Music Health Alliance: Music Health Alliance
MusiCares: MusiCares
Sweet Relief: Sweet Relief
Music Industry Therapist Collective: Music Industry Therapist Collective
These resources are intended to provide immediate support as well as pathways to longer-term care.
