Hellions have released a lengthy statement regarding what has been happening behind the scenes, which include the reasons behind the cancellation of their headline tour earlier this year. Within the statement the band discuss issues surrounding depression and anxiety.
In light of the news surrounding the health of its members, Hellions are determined to strive forward by supporting mental health organisations and will be announcing a tour soon as well as beginning work on their second album.
“As some of you are aware, on April 7th 2014, Hellions, with the utmost regret had to cancel our headline tour due to an medical condition that required immediate attention from myself, my family, friends and brothers in the band.
I’m writing this today to speak out about the illness that myself and so many other people around the world are battling. I’m doing this not only to be up front and honest with everyone to help you understand what is happening with Hellions, but to raise some sort of awareness about it and to encourage others who have been or are in a similar situation to myself to speak up about it and get help.
For many years, I have been battling depression and anxiety with out even realising. It is something that I have seen many others go through, something I was in denial about and something I was initially ashamed of being open about with not only other people but myself.
Depression, anxiety and any mental illness are serious conditions, much like cancer or diabetes are medical conditions that can be caused by life events, family history (genetics), personality, serious illness and drug and alcohol use to name a few. Unfortunately that is not something that a lot of people can understand or come to terms with, unless they have been through it themselves. Even myself before learning about it did not quite understand it and how much it can effect an individual.
Depression is more than just feeling sad or down for a short period of time, it is something that sticks with you, haunts you and has a serious impact on physical and mental health. It can stay with you for weeks, months or years and sometimes there is no apparent reason for such a horrible thing to be bestowed upon a person.
To be open about what has happened is extremely difficult but in doing so myself and the boys hope to be able to help other people who may be struggling. To let everyone know that it’s okay to feel that way and that there is help out there.
Toward the end of last year, I found myself to be increasingly less interested in things I would normally love to do. I could feel myself gradually feeling more down and my personality seemed to be changing. As time went on, things got worse. I tried to overcome what I was experiencing but nothing seemed to be working.
After our tour in January, I came to a point where I felt broken and unfixable. I didn’t want to leave my house, became increasingly more anxious about social encounters and was really suffering as a whole and had no idea why.I felt alone and very afraid, I could walk into a room full of people and feel like I was the only one there. I had very little self worth and started to forget about things that made me the person I was. I began to not respect myself as a person and could not function as I normally would. It completely took over me and if it wasn’t for my family, girlfriend and friends noticing these changes, i know I would not be in a good place today. If they didn’t reach out and encourage me to get help, the consequences could have been devastating.
Shortly after I felt like I was at my worst, I took the steps to get myself help. It was extremely hard and confronting. I spent 28 days in a rehabilitation clinic for treatment and I believe that although it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, it was the best thing I could have done.
In this day and age, we are lucky enough to have various sources of help and support for these types of illness’.
Organisations such as ‘Beyond Blue’, ‘SANE Australia’, ‘LIFELINE’ and ‘Suicide Prevention Australia’ are doing great things to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma that can be associated with mental illness. It’s organisations like these that we need to continue to encourage people to get help and help everyone to understand exactly how to deal with these problems.
To anyone who feels they may be suffering or anyone who feels a friend or family member may be suffering from depression, we encourage you to please, talk to someone and get help because it can save you. You don’t have to live with this forever and there is indeed a light at the end of the very dark tunnel.
Surround yourself with family and friends and don’t be afraid to be open about it. Remember that you are not alone and there is always someone out there that is willing to listen and help.Be aware of substance abuse. It is very common for someone who is in that state to turn to alcohol or drugs as an escape but in reality, it does nothing to help the problem long term and can indeed make the situation worse.
Find ways to express yourself. It can be extremely hard to talk about your problems and sometimes it can help to communicate by using other expressive forms. Whether it be music, writing, art, whatever you feel comfortable doing, do it. It can be very therapeutic. Do what makes you happy.
If you feel someone you know may be suffering, mindfully approach them and ask if they are okay. Encourage them to get help. Standing by friends and family in these times can really help to pull someone through and is an extremely noble action which will always be appreciated.
Hellions as a band and individuals have been directly effected by depression and it has given us the drive to want to help anyone we can. We want you to know that it is always going to be okay to come and talk to us and that we will always be willing to help as much as we can.
We will be striving to be actively involved in raising awareness and over the coming months, will be working on more ways to do that.
We want to thank you all for your patience and understanding of our situation and are very excited about what is to come.
We will be announcing a tour very soon and are still in the pre-production stage of album #2 which is to be recorded at the end of the year.
We can’t wait for you to hear our new music and are ecstatic to get back out there to play shows.
xoxo
– Anthony, Matt, Dre, Lewis and Dylan”
