Bipolar Pop: Music That Supports Mental Health

However, in an industry where these challenges are widespread, artists like Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato, and Lewis Capaldi are breaking that silence, sharing their personal battles to help fans feel understood.

Inspired by them, more musicians are opening up to spread the message that it's okay to talk about these issues. Singer Lleo, who creates "bipolar pop," has seen an overwhelming response from fans since she began singing about her own mental health journey. The Cheltenham-born artist, who is bipolar, shared that fans often reach out to tell her how much her music resonates with them, saying, "This song helps me so much."

Similarly, Swindon-born singer-songwriter Athena Aperta, 26, is using her "honest lyrics" to inspire hope. Sober for two years, Aperta recalls how her mental health and struggles with alcohol and drugs worsened after she became involved in the London music scene, where substance abuse was rampant. 

She said moving back to her hometown in 2022 was a "blessing in disguise," helping her overcome her addiction. While substance use still exists in her surroundings, she’s learned to manage it, saying she can now "regulate herself more" in those environments.