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The Mental Musician

A weekly newsletter where I share stories about my life in music and my struggles with mental health, so other musicians don’t feel alone and feel more comfortable opening up about what we’re really going through.

Join 450+ musicians who are learning to open up about their mental health and support each other along the way.

Written by Brian Zhang

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Featured Posts

Stories

Jan 7, 2026

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11 min read

A Love Letter To My Depression

The friend who I never asked for, but don't want to leave completely...

Brian Zhang

Music Education and Support

For artists to have a future, young musicians need to learn mental health skills now

Nov 20, 2025

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14 min read

For artists to have a future, young musicians need to learn mental health skills now

It's been the biggest thing missing in education, but the one that gives them a chance to succeed.

Brian Zhang

Stories

16 months after my first suicidal thought, this message reminded me I still had a reason to live.

Oct 15, 2025

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12 min read

16 months after my first suicidal thought, this message reminded me I still had a reason to live.

And it helped me fall in love with music and life again.

Brian Zhang

Latest Posts

Stories

Apr 2, 2026

•

17 min read

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

But it took me years to accept that.

Brian Zhang

Reflections on Mental Health

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

Mar 18, 2026

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16 min read

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

So this is me finally being honest with you and with myself

Brian Zhang

Stories

The Night I Became a Rock Star at Philadelphia Airport

Mar 5, 2026

•

12 min read

The Night I Became a Rock Star at Philadelphia Airport

How a cancelled flight reminded me how to hold on to what we've got

Brian Zhang

Depression

Mar 18, 2026

•

16 min read

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

So this is me finally being honest with you and with myself

Brian Zhang

Depression

Oct 30, 2025

•

12 min read

Four small things that helped me survive depression in 2025

How these small changes helped me embrace my depression and fall in love with music again.

Brian Zhang

Depression

Sep 17, 2025

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9 min read

A Quiet Street, A Guitar, and Me

But even the darkness and silence couldn’t hide what I was searching for.

Brian Zhang

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

But it took me years to accept that.

Brian Zhang

Reflections on Mental Health

Mar 18, 2026

•

16 min read

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

So this is me finally being honest with you and with myself

Brian Zhang

Stories

Mar 5, 2026

•

12 min read

The Night I Became a Rock Star at Philadelphia Airport

How a cancelled flight reminded me how to hold on to what we've got

Brian Zhang

Family

Feb 18, 2026

•

14 min read

How I Became a Master at Hiding My Pain

But as I say goodbye to my Grandma, I realise I'm not as alone as I thought.

Brian Zhang

Mental Health Support

Jan 24, 2026

•

12 min read

Therapy isn't so scary after all

How changing my approach to therapy saved my mental health...and life

Brian Zhang

Community

The podcast I wanted to create from the beginning

Jan 15, 2026

•

7 min read

The podcast I wanted to create from the beginning

And one that helps you not feel alone in your mental health struggles.

Brian Zhang

Stories

Jan 7, 2026

•

11 min read

A Love Letter To My Depression

The friend who I never asked for, but don't want to leave completely...

Brian Zhang

Reflections on Mental Health

What happens when a musician finally lets themselves be vulnerable

Dec 18, 2025

•

15 min read

What happens when a musician finally lets themselves be vulnerable

And how it helped me open up about things I wouldn't normally talk about

Brian Zhang

Reflections on Mental Health

This year forced me to slow down and focus on what was really important

Dec 11, 2025

•

12 min read

This year forced me to slow down and focus on what was really important

And why I want to encourage everyone, not just musicians, to be vulnerable about their health, next year and beyond, without feeling ashamed.

Brian Zhang

...

Featured Posts

A Love Letter To My Depression

For artists to have a future, young musicians need to learn mental health skills now

16 months after my first suicidal thought, this message reminded me I still had a reason to live.

Latest Posts

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

The Night I Became a Rock Star at Philadelphia Airport

Depression

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

Four small things that helped me survive depression in 2025

A Quiet Street, A Guitar, and Me

Archive

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

Being a Musician Hurt Me More Than I’d Care to Admit

The Night I Became a Rock Star at Philadelphia Airport

How I Became a Master at Hiding My Pain

Therapy isn't so scary after all

The podcast I wanted to create from the beginning

A Love Letter To My Depression

What happens when a musician finally lets themselves be vulnerable

This year forced me to slow down and focus on what was really important

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