D. Cullen,
Songwriter/musician

The most beneficial thing to help my mental health, I find, is communication. When you’re feeling down or low, talk to your bandmates, talk to your family or your friends. That’s what has helped me the most – trying to get the thoughts out of your head and into the open. That takes the power away from some of the darker elements.

Music is also such a great tool for expression. For me, it can help convey things I would find it hard to say otherwise. I always found the emotional aspects of music really helpful, because you can express yourself in ways that don’t need words. It’s often quite hard to put into language how you’re feeling when you’re in a low or anxious moment. Music can be like a shortcut – you can explain your sadness, your happiness, or your anxiety clearly with the right set of chords.

In my teen years, writing music made such a difference to me. That’s an age where a lot of people struggle with expressing themselves or telling people how they really feel. Especially the fact that I was in an all-boys school – there’s that kind of masculine pressure to be quiet about things and sort of stoic. So, to have had this thing away from your peer group where you can let all the emotions out was really helpful. And in terms of my anxiety and mental health, it still is.

See our review of D. Cullen's new album here. Read the full Hot Press Mental Health Special now in the current issue of Hot Press: