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interviewsMusic Feedback: What If documentaryBlack Board Minds Blackwater Station KNiKi K.I.B. A Month of Sundays The Panics Mister and Sunbird Nat Ripepi Craig Sinclair Henry F. Skerritt Stone Circle Catherine Traicos The Yabu Band
KNiKi Indi blues singer songwriter I started writing poetry at a young age to release problems I was dealing with, such as puberty, boys, peer pressure and family boundaries. Then I collaborated with a girlfriend who played piano  and
we turned some of my writing into
lyrics. The diversity of music is an amazing thing. It stimulates endorphins resulting in relaxation, improved blood flow and lower stress levels. So mentally and physically you find yourself in a better place. I've supported others by being there when they need me and stepping back when they don’t. By loving without judgement, caring enough to want to help and of course laughter - laughter makes the world go round. www.kniki.com K.I.B. Lead
Singer, Blackwater Station Growing
up I came across a few
hard times as most young people A few of our songs are about overcoming difficulties; from relationships to everyday issues we all go through in our lives. Music is a beneficial way to get what’s in my head out-instead of holding it in and letting it explode. It’s my form of therapy. I find it hard to relay how I’m feeling with dialogue, but with music I can let all my worries out. I have several family members who suffer from mental illness. Communication has been the key to supporting them. Just knowing that they have someone who will listen and not judge them can be quite beneficial. When
I'm feeling down there is nothing better than playing my guitar or
writing a killer riff. Getting together with the other guys,
having a chat and watching some footy are also great ways to chill out. Terry Preston Drummer, A Month of Sundays and Social Worker, Department of Health
Mental illness is something we all experience in some form simply by being alive. Fear and stigma are a huge barrier for those who suffer from a mental illness and for those reaching out to them. A diagnosis or disorder does not define a person; it’s only a component of who they are. We are all human beings doing the best we can with what we are given. Research shows exercise and music are the quickest activities to change your mood from sad to happy. As a drummer I know how physical playing music can be and it has always made me smile; so I guess I’m a testament to that research. Lead singer, guitarist and keyboard player, The Panics I was always involved in
and thinking about music
as far back as I can remember. The Panics are still working on the themes of our next album. Generally each song is different; about whatever is going on around me, inside me, in my past or sometimes purely imaginary. More than a few of our songs are based on overcoming difficulties. It's those moments in life that generally make you want to write a songs - it's kind of like therapy. Music can be enlightening and soothing, and determine the mood of the moment. It makes you feel like you're not alone in your feelings. The last thing anyone with mental heath issues needs is to be alone in silence with their problems. The more interaction and activities between people in the community, the better. More barriers will be broken down with things as simple as conversation and recognition of each other. I've always found it's best to approach people who seem in trouble and just try and talk to them about it. Sometimes just communicating is the best medicine. If I want to feel better and relax I take a walk, maybe whistle a tune or call my brother up and talk some nonsense. Scott Kociuruba  ds created in your own
imagination are music. Mister and Sunbird's songs explore love and how we navigate our way through - which for me is the meaning of life. If we can give and receive love we have the best possible chance of mental stability. Our songs also touch on abuse, positive affirmations and ways of bettering ourselves. My mother suffers from a mental illness and it can be very difficult to know how to help. Often I won't hear from her when she is not well; sometimes her way of dealing with it is to retreat. Her tone of voice or lack of communication will let me know when it's time to either allow space or give support. If someone is experiencing tough times, I let them know that I can carry some of the burden. By sharing their day to day workload and letting them know they are loved. The difference between a “mentally ill’’ person and anybody else is merely a DIAGNOSIS. We all have the ability to be mentally ill, just as all our bodies can become ill. There are varying degrees of illness, and some cope with it better than others, but essentially we are all together in this world. If people realised that many brilliant people in the world are mentally ill, they would look up and out for that brilliance rather than down in condescension. www.myspace.com/misterandsunbird
www.myspace.com/natripepi Acoustic/folk/blues musician and psychology PhD candidate, University of WA In the time I have been
involved in music I have seen many
people’s lives changed for the better by I believe the benefits of music include:
I have found songwriting to be a very positive influence on my own mental health. It has allowed me to reflect on things that have happened in my life, and mark them with a sense of personal meaning by working them into my songs. This gives my own life a sense of meaning, regardless of whether those songs ever get performed in front of crowds of people. www.myspace.com/craigsinclairSinger/songwriter, The Holy Sea When I wrote the songs
that ended up on 'A Beginner's Guide to
the Sea', I never envisaged anyone I have had several close friends touched by mental illness and I know that they often say it is impossible for them to explain the illness to other people; to express the ways that it affects them or the reasons that it changes them. Musicians are lucky in that people expect (and sometimes even enjoy) hearing us sing of our troubles and woes. Hopefully removing the stigma of mental health might allow more people this luxury and help them to move beyond their pain and heartache. www.holysea.com.au Lead singer and guitarist, Stone Circle I was seeking answers and
a release from major problems I was
facing. My psychologist suggested picking up music again, as
I’d
played guitar as a kid. It was a great way of dealing with things I
couldn’t talk about; I could write and sing about them
instead. Our song “Touch the Otherside” is about overcoming mental health problems, especially depression and suicide. It's about facing challenges, finding a reason to believe and coming out the other side in one piece. It acknowledges those who stuck by me despite my self destructive ways. Writing the song took a lot of soul searching and courage to be honest about my feelings. Most people wouldn’t know that I suffer from depression. I still go to gigs and do normal everyday things like shopping, washing, paying the rent and interacting with people. When I tell someone they either say “no way” or become distant; as if hanging with me might cause them to suddenly develop depression. When I talk with them some more, they usually get this look of understanding and clarity. A few lessons I’ve learnt along the way:
Folk singer/songwriter I've suffered from
depression for a long time now. I've found
one of the most effective means of dealing with my depression has been
writing songs and I think a lot of people
would be surprised to discover that
much of the music they listen to is written by people with some form or
degree of mental illness. I love songs where the writer has put
everything out there; it gives a sense of solidarity so you don't feel
so alone in a Catherine Traicos' latest album Gone explores past wounds, but with a sense of resolution, strength and transformation. Photo by Bridget Turner. www.catherinetraicos.com
Indigenous desert rock/reggae group "Yabu" means gold or solid in the Wongatha language. We are
inspired by our ancestors' stories passed down from generation to
generation. Our album Gundulla – We Dance incorporates the
Wongatha and English languages. It merges traditional
dreamtime stories with contemporary melodies. www.yabuband.com.au
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how important it
was to do so. I loved writing poetry, so the transition to music was
not really that hard. 
There is an endless list of
musicians and
artists who
lived with a mental illness and enriched our world immeasurably. And
the opposite is true; the world would be infinitely poorer without
them. 
Music grabbed me from an
early age. It was an escape to a happy place where you could be
completely in the moment and completely yourself. 
its influence.
Music has a universal healing property which talks to people of all
ages, classes and creeds. 
listening to them.
At the time, I had
just moved to
Melbourne and ended a long relationship, and music was just a place
that I went to hide. Through words and song I could find ways to make
sense of everything I was going through, to expel it and find beauty
through it. It was a very cathartic experience. It made me realise how
lucky I was to have this outlet in my life. 
listening to music.
the inside. Our album features the song 'Beautiful Girl'
written by Reynold Indich. It tells the story of a girl mixed up with
peer pressure in her local neighbourhood. She is able to find love and
a happy home; so the song encourages women to believe in themselves. 
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