Mental Hardcore Health Newsletter #1

Taken from the "The Hardcore Overdogs" e-zine: https://thehardcoreoverdogs.blogspot.com/2023/07/mental-hardcore-health-newsletter-1.html

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Hello friends and strangers,

With the first issue of this newsletter we want to address a topic that is still somewhat taboo; in society and culture at large, but also especially in the Hardcore scene.

We're talking about mental health issues, "mental illnesses", "disorders", that kind of thing.

Problems that relate to the mind, soul, psyche, subconsciousness.

While mental illness generally affects many people in our culture, the same is true for the hardcore scene, too.

This newsletter is aimed at people who are troubled by these maladies

Now let's get straight to the points:

#1. You are not alone

As mentioned above. There are many people in the HC scene who have mental problems and have to deal with these matters. The scene is full of people with problems like you. Sometimes it even seems as if the sounds attract people who are troubled by "mental disorders" (this "attraction" must not be a bad thing; see below). So, be sure. you are not the only one who has these problems.

#2. A lot of people have heavy problems

You might think: "Yeah, talking about mental health issues is less taboo these days. a lot of people talk about anxiety or depression or something like that. but most of them function reasonably well. Maybe they have panic attacks and feel down. but they pop a pill and are still able to go to work and live their lives. But for me it's different. I got 'mentally ill' as a teen, and it only got worse, I've been in and out of 'lunatic asylums', everytime I try go get a job and to live on my own it works for a while, then I get a full breakdown and relapse, I can't function at all, it's some very heavy stuff".

or "I can't escape my depression, I can't do anything at all, I live socially isolated, can't even leave the house anymore".

And similar examples.

But as we said before: You are not alone! There are many people like you in the scene. many of us have heavy, heavy problems.

For example: Why do you think the online scene is so much more lively and active than the hardcore actions that happen in real life?

A huge reason for this is that in order to do online stuff, you don't need to leave the house, don't need to meet people in real life; thus the producers / DJs / promoters etc. who can't do these things in real life channel all their energy into their online activities!

On the internet, you don't know how people "truly" are. A DJ or producer name is a persona, and a DJ and producer might come off as fierce, hard, bold, famous, confident, when in real life he has schizophrenia, is psychotic, manic-depressive, or similar things.

Don't judge books by their "covers"

Believe us, there are a lot of people with very serious and terrible conditions in the hardcore scene. You shouldn't feel like an outsider because of this.

#3. There is no need to be ashamed

There is still a stigma attached to mental disorders, which makes them so taboo, and prevents a lot of people to talk openly about their problems or about this topic in general.

But there should be no shame.

There is little shame to physical diseases, right? People don't get shamed or stigmatized because they have heart diseases or chronic illnesses or liver conditions or stuff like that (or at least to a much lesser degree).

If it's okay to talk about your physical diseases, it should be just as okay to talk about mental diseases.

You are not wrong or bad or broken or need to be despised, just because you happen to have a mental disorder.

#4. Music (and especially hardcore) is the cure

Here is a good message we want to get across, maybe one of hope. We mentioned that people with "disorders" are seemingly attracted to hardcore techno and its subgenres. and, we've heard of many people who said that hardcore music had a kind of "healing" effect on them. That it soothed their moods when they were depressed or anxious. or, even stronger, that it "saved their lives"; and that a track, event, party, whatever, reached them when they were "in the deepest pit" and ended up pulling them out of it.

Just as art and creativity in general can have a proven positive effect on mental illness, we think that hardcore techno has an especially strong and positive effect in that vein - and even more.

So, "stay down with the hardcore". It might do you good (and save your soul).

#5. It's good to talk about it

Mental health problems should not be a taboo. Yes, it's hard to talk about it, we know, but try to muster the strength and reach out to your friends and others, and talk about it. This can make you feel better. By a lot.

Of course you might get "asshole reactions" by some of them, but, yeah, try to stay away from these people then.

Regardless, mental health topics should be addressed more openly.

#6. Reach out for help

It's not a sign of weakness if you realize that you could need some help by others regarding your problems.

We don't have a list with resources here, but if you think you need help, try to contact to a friend or find some help resources online.

And we hope you get the help you need.

#7. You rule!

To end this newsletter. Let us tell you that you rule! Because everyone deserves to live fully and happily, regardless of problems with health or other concerns.

If you have been struggling with mental health issues you probably needed to win some very tough battles in your life, and this shows you got strength, perseverance and persistence.

Also, people with these so-called "disorders" provided a lot of creative efforts and powerful ideas, activity and achievements to the hardcore scene (after all, which producer does not have some kind of "disorder"?).

There are more reasons, but let us tell you: you are a great person!

So, we are happy that you are here, and are with us, in this scene of hardcore techno, with all its energies, dreams, hopes, and possibilities of fulfillment.

This concludes the mental hardcore health newsletter.

We hope this message could help you in some kind of way, and that together we can break down the "taboo" of "mental illness" a bit.

Stay bold and stay strong!