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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

Reach out any time

Featured Posts

Stories

+1

How I Learnt To Be Okay With Not Being Okay

Sep 11, 2024

•

9 min read

How I Learnt To Be Okay With Not Being Okay

Lessons I Learned After My First Panic Attack

Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang

Growth Mindset

+1

Sometimes You Have to Stop the Music to Take Care of Your Health

Mar 26, 2025

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7 min read

Sometimes You Have to Stop the Music to Take Care of Your Health

I’ve learned that sometimes, walking away from your dream is the only way to survive

Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang

Stories

+1

Returning into the Light: How depression stole my love for life

Jun 20, 2024

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6 min read

Returning into the Light: How depression stole my love for life

How I found my reason to stay alive

Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang

Stories

+2

The panic attack that nearly ended my music career

Jul 15, 2025

•

7 min read

The panic attack that nearly ended my music career

If burnout, pressure, or anxiety have stolen your joy for music, this one is for you.

Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang

Latest Posts

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Stories

+2

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

Apr 2, 2026

•

17 min read

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

But it took me years to accept that.

Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang

Reflections on Mental Health

+2

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

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
Brian Zhang

Stories

+2

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
Brian Zhang

Depression

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Depression

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

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
Brian Zhang

Depression

Four small things that helped me survive depression in 2025

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
Brian Zhang

Depression

A Quiet Street, A Guitar, and Me

Sep 17, 2025

•

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
Brian Zhang

Archive

Stories

+2

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

Apr 2, 2026

•

17 min read

I’m okay with being a failed musician.

But it took me years to accept that.

Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang

Reflections on Mental Health

+2

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

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
Brian Zhang

Stories

+2

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
Brian Zhang

Family

+1

How I Became a Master at Hiding My Pain

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
Brian Zhang

Mental Health Support

+1

Therapy isn't so scary after all

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
Brian Zhang

Community

+1

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
Brian Zhang

Stories

+1

A Love Letter To My Depression

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
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
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
Brian Zhang
...

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The Mental Musician

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, share honestly, and support each other along the way.

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


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