Everclear frontman Art Alexakis talks candidly with us about the way discussions surrounding mental health have changed in the time he has been hard at work creating songs that resonate with so many loyal listeners.

“I think mental health conversations have taken a quantum leap forward because back in the day it was just -- you didn't talk about it, you didn't talk about mental health,” Art tells us. "Speaking about your own mental health,” he says, “meant you were weak, that you were sick,” or it meant that at your essence “you were different. That you weren't as good as other people.”

“The sad thing about it is it's always been a thing,” he explains. “Every family has mental health issues; just about every person does. Instead of looking at mental health as a problem, instead of looking at it like something to keep up on, and get tune-ups, and work on it like you would your regular health -- like working out, diet…  Now that people are having more conversations about it, I think it's come a long way.”

Keeping that conversation going with younger generations is the key, and it is up to us to help provide those tools for success. “I grew up in a time -- in between Baby Boomer and Gen-Z -- where there wasn't a lot of tools with the medications for mental health, and now there's so many of them,” he adds. “My youngest daughter went through some issues with that during COVID, as did a lot of kids, and I think a lot of tools that I've given her is like therapy, medication, understanding, being able to network with other people and other kids… to know that she's not alone.”

“I think that's the biggest thing,” he says of the simple fact of knowing that you’re not the only one struggling. “It's the alienation that makes people give up hope. If it wasn't for music, and my music, and me creating music, my mental health would not be anywhere near where it is now. I'm very grateful for what I do for a living and I'm in my sixties; I'm still playing guitar, in a Rock n’ Roll band.”

“My mental health is something that I have been keeping up all my life,” Art adds, “with my sobriety. I've been sober 35 years. For me, mental health and sobriety, and my higher power and my family, they're all interconnected and I think they are for most people. It just takes people a while to figure it out.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Joe Cingrana