Songs that saved 'my' life

Celebrities are often considered inhuman, superheroes to most everyday citizens. But what if these heroes showed weakness?

Seeing heroes weak and broken helps the everyday people who idolize them know they aren’t alone. Vulnerability is something everyone feels.

Musicians who write and sing about heartbreak, depression or suicide provide fans a safe place to retreat to during the four minutes (or so) of the song, even if they don’t always know whether the inspiration for the music comes from personal experience or imagination.

Pop-punk bands Neck Deep and Movements are part of a collaborative project for Mental Health Awareness month, which isn’t until May. The project’s album, titled Songs That Saved My Life, will be released Nov. 9.

There are 12 artists in this collaborative project, each covering a song that “played a pivotal role in the lives of artists and fans,” according to the project’s website. The songs helped the artists during their hardest times. Groups with a song on the album include Dance Gavin Dance, Taking Back Sunday and Against Me! .

Songs That Saved My Life connects fans to their favourite musicians.

The album features songs such as “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia, and “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. Every purchase of the vinyl copy goes towards the project’s four supporting charities: Crisis Text Line, Hope for the Day, The Trevor Project, and To Write Love on Her Arms.

Despite the positive aspects of connecting fans to musicians and supporting fans during times that are hard, the project could also be a trigger for those suffering with mental illness.

The songs have such heavy content that as a result, listening might spark bad thoughts.

But despite these potential setbacks, the album and the meaning behind it are good. We need to be more open about mental health.

Mental health needs more than just an album and more than just a month, it needs constant awareness and checkups.

Something that could help is the bands posting on social media more regularly about hotlines and services or providing fans with their own version of an outreach.

Overall, it is nice to see a group of musicians trying to help with the mental health stigma. Giving people an outlet for emotions and safe places in the form of music could help out fans.