Korn guitarist to discuss mental health at Skyline
TribuneSep 19, 2022
Sep. 19—Korn guitarist
"It's just all about helping people see that there's hope," Welch said. "The darkness that you have going on in your mind as a teenager, it doesn't last."
The connection between music and mental health goes much deeper than that in Welch's own life.
"I just feel like music is so powerful and it influences so many different people," Welch said. "It's a strong, strong gift that we have for the world."
Since 1993, Welch said fans have shared with him how much Korn's music has personally impacted their own lives.
During the pandemic, Welch said he participated in a virtual meet-and-greet via Zoom and people thanked him and shared how much the band's music saved their life.
"It's just mind blowing to hear that and it just humbles you," Welch said.
Over the last five years, Welch said the suicides of various celebrities have pushed mental health issues to the forefront.
"How many people have to die before you start being real?"
Welch said. "It's really cool to see the mainstream backing mental health and just really trying to make a difference."
In
Cornell's death was ruled a suicide by hanging. He was 52.
Two months later in
Along with other celebrities, including TV personality
"You hear about it a lot more often now, and it's very, very important that we discuss it," Welch said. "The stigma's got to go, we've just got to be real."
Welch said he encourages young people to reach out to their peers and counselors for help and most importantly "do not isolate."
"This is temporary, what you're going through, it does get better," Welch said. "I've went through my own really dark days and dark seasons."
In
"I've developed my own unique relationship with Christ," Welch said.
Around that same time, Welch said he moved to
"It was the best experience ever, even the bad things were," Welch said. "I'm really excited to be back to do an event and just hang out for a few days."
After several years, Welch marked his first performance with Korn in
Now, Welch said he leans on a good support system including medical, spiritual and social pillars.
While faith is a major component of his own life, he said, "You can't make people believe how you believe or, more importantly, you can't make people have your moral values.
"All you can do is just shine your light and be loving."
For young adults struggling to start or find their path, Welch said to start with asking "God, if you're real, show me."
Welch said that will start them down the path of meeting the right people in their personal journey.
Welch also said people should surround themselves with positive people.
"Nobody should be in your life that's dragging you down," Welch said. "It's just time wasting, and it's going to suck the positivity out of you."
While he doesn't know what the future holds for the future of events like this, Welch said he loves the work
"They've done so much for the youth and where they're at in
Spencer said this event will kick off a campaign called "Scream 4 Me," part of a mental health awareness campaign.
"If a kid is struggling with depression or potential suicidal thoughts, we hope that they'll say 'scream' or 'scream for me' to a friend or a counselor," Spencer said.
Along with distributing t-shirts and stickers to various local high schools, the campaign looks to spread awareness for teens experiencing anxiety, depression, addiction or thoughts of suicide, and to know that help is out there for them.
With help from Death2Life.com, teens will be able to find help from a licensed counselor.
Worldwide nonprofit D2L helps youth and adults reach out to people "who are living in darkness," in the hopes of people in crisis to find help with a licensed counselor.
Along with Welch, D2L has worked with other personalities including musician
"We hope that Scream 4 Me campaign will be literally a lifesaving campaign for many youth in
For more information, visit alicecoopersolidrock.com/event/brianwelch/.
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