It’s no secret that we have a hard time talking about mental illnesses and struggles in real life, but music has often served as an avenue to say what we want to say out loud. I always feel a greater sense of euphoria every time I stumble across a song that perfectly describes my painful despair and conflicting emotions.

Here is a small playlist of songs that have proven to touch the lives of those suffering from a mental illness.

1. Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”

“And all those things I didn’t say/Wrecking balls inside my brain/I will scream them loud tonight/Can you hear my voice this time?”

Mental disorders such as anxiety can make getting through just one day a struggle. “Fight Song” serves as a reminder for us to stay strong and persevere because there are better days ahead.

2. Matchbox Twenty, “Unwell”

“All day staring at the ceiling/Making friends with shadows on my wall/All night hearing voices telling me/That I should get some sleep/Because tomorrow might be good for something.”

It’s hard to find a song more relatable than this one. While it seems to us that no one else ever feels this isolated, lonely, alone, and different, this song ensures us that there are people who do get it.

3. Melanie Martinez, “Mad Hatter”

“Doctor, doctor please listen/My brain is scattered/You can be Alice/I’ll be the mad hatter.”

Society’s misconceptions about people who suffer from mental health illnesses are not only unsubstantiated, but also destructive. However, Melanie teaches us that these stigmas do not define who we are -- that we truly are great and a lot of us fight these demons every day. You are strong and shouldn’t be ashamed for having a mental illness.

4. Sia, “Breathe Me”

“Ouch, I have lost myself again/Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found/Yeah, I think that I might break/Lost myself again, and I feel unsafe.”

A song by Sia about dealing with depression and needing a friend to seek out support. Sia has dealt with substance addiction and depression in the past, so “Breathe Me” is very autobiographical.

5. Florence + the Machine, “Shake It Out”

“Regrets collect like old friends/Here to relive your darkest moments/I can see no way, I can see no way/And all of the ghouls come out to play”

Kind of like an anthem, but less cliche and a lot better. It reminds us to keep fighting, keep pushing, keep going. Move on and don’t give up. “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

6. The Strumbellas, “Spirits”

“I got guns in my head and they won’t go/Spirits in my head and they won’t go.”

“Spirits” is not only relatable, but reassuring. It’s a strong, beautiful song with a strong, beautiful reminder that we are not alone. While fighting our demons, we try to be the best people we can possibly be.