Kevin Cole

"I'd like to request "The Story" by Brandi Carlile for my husband, Darrel and for all the caregivers out there. My greatest champion and caregiver is my husband. He has the ability to separate the disease (depression and anxiety) from the real me." Thank you Brenda.

This song goes out to Audra, who said, "I lost my best friend Cathy at 42 to suicide in 2014 and my brother Dane at 51 followed in 2016 here in Seattle. After Cathy's death I donated $2000 for a brick for KEXP. Those were the worst days of my life! I will NEVER understand how my brother watched me and my daughters suffer and to have him follow. It will forever be painful and heartbreaking. The sorrow never goes away. I am now 51, the same age as my brother, I am suddenly having more depression and anxiety. I am struggling too." Thank you Audra for sharing your story.

Find out more on our Music Heals programming, including a list of resources available to those who struggle with depression and anxiety: www.kexp.org

Playing selections from Mark Mallman's "Happiness Playlist" as part of Music Heals: Mental Health.

"Music Is Not Going to Cure You, But It's Gonna Make Things Better" - Mark Mallman bit.ly

Clip from my interview with Mark Mallman on his Happiness Playlist, songs that help him when he's struggling with depression and anxiety.

"The Happiness Playlist is maybe the first time I really learned how to allow music to access my heart."

Clip from my interview with Mark Mallman on his Happiness Playlist. You can read and listen to the full interview here: bit.ly

Ian says, "My battle with depression and poor mental health has been going on for years, and in my mid twenties I needed to make a change and made the move up to Seattle to change my surroundings and pace of life. I met some truly amazing people who helped me realize I wasn’t alone in this fight, and watched people close to me translate their situations into amazing pieces of art, through music and other avenues. I would love it if you could play “Stop the judge” by Snuff Redux, as a reminder to not judge those around you too harshly, as you never know what kind of personal struggles they could be dealing with."

Athena says, "As I am starting a new business venture in my community in West Seattle I am surrounded by so much love from my family and community and I feel as though all my dreams have come true. I still struggle with all the anxiety and depression but music truly does heal. Thank you KEXP. Please play ALWAYS LOVE by Nada Surf it is my go to running song when the weight of the world gets me down."

An anonymous listener said, "Thank you for doing this. I appreciate all your special shows so much. For me, listening to music is an important part of managing my depression and anxiety. If I am not careful, I can spend way too much time in my head and music gets me out of it. If I were to name something particular, I’d name the Jayhawks Rainy Day Music as an album I can connect with immediately to shut down the hamster wheel that sometimes resides in my head."

"Just wanted to reach out and express my gratitude for everything KEXP does, especially today. Listening to the notes from other listeners, my heart aches hearing my own struggle with anxiety and depression mirrored in others, but it also swells with love and admiration at their strength and resilience. It's easy for me to fall into feelings of loneliness and isolation, but with each song today I feel a part of something so much bigger. For my part, I'd love to hear Common Market's Winter Takes All. Sending so much love to all the listeners and everyone at KEXP working to make today happen." -Erik

Sherry says, "We lost our friend Erik Johnson earlier this year to suicide. I can't tell you how much this loss has brought to so many. Not just his family, not just his friends, not just the people he met, or the endless support he gave to SOWA. He was a huge 80s fan- loved John Hughes movies and as a result- I have two song requests if you may indulge."

Jen Says, "I listen to Kexp daily and Music Heals is always a soul moving day. Thanks for all those sharing their stories and the soundtracks that keep us going. What a day. I just listen and connect and try not to do much else. I’ve struggled with trauma, inter-generational trauma and an alphabet soup of mental illness diagnoses my whole life. I’ve tried hundreds of personal remedies including medication, hospitalization and pursuing huge goals to feel worthy. In my teens and 20s The Jesus and Mary Chain, the Cure and the Smiths helped me feel seen."

A listener said, "Would you please play “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House to celebrate the daily victories we make over our demons? This song reminds me that even when everything goes wrong and you can only see the bad, the sad, and the pain in this world, there is always Hope. There is always another day. Together we can fight back and defeat the negativity and sadness within ourselves. WE KNOW THEY WON’T WIN."

Listener Mike said this song by Mitski helped him overcome struggles in 2015 when his life 'exploded.' Thank you Mike for sharing your story with KEXP.

Listener Mike shared a truly heartbreaking story with us and said "'Here Comes The Sun' always seems to put me in a better place."

"These last few months have been stress- and guilt-ridden as I deal with mental health and substance abuse issues. Last Friday's show at the Gorge with Sharron Van Etten and Bon Iver provided me such a healing and spiritual experience that I will be forever grateful for. Laying on the lawn and feeling the incredible symphony of sound and lyrics flow over me felt like a warm, loving blanket provided by not just the artists on stage, but the entire universe." -Gareth

For 24/7, free support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Text 741741 to get connected with a counselor.

Learn more about our Music Heals programming here: www.kexp.org

Alexis says, "After extensive therapy and efforts to get back on my feet there was one song that described exactly how I felt. “Seeds” by TV on the Radio. I felt I was rebuilding and that as TV on the Radio sings “rain comes down like it always does. This time I’ve got seeds on ground.” I really felt like I had weathered a storm and it was important for me to learn that I wasn’t broken. That I’m ok. That I’m not alone."

"Part of ending the stigma surrounding mental health is speaking openly about our lived experiences, even when it is difficult. Thank you KEXP for empowering me to do this today. For anyone struggling, please know that you deserve the love and understanding you would give someone else. You are never alone. Scratch a dog or pet a cat when you can. Hang in there, baby!" Thank you Brooke for sharing your story and showing support.

"When speaking with anyone about dealing with depression, one of the things I suggest (among many others) is listening to the right kind of music that will help them. I’m living testament to how healing music can be. ... One song I remember listening to over and over was I Found a Whistle by MGMT." Thank you Derek.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

"Music and determination, mixed with happy times with those who matter, conquered unhappy mental health. It conquered anxiety, depression, low esteem and low confidence. I am now happy to say I’m still working on progress as a person and have managed to get a music show at a local voluntary radio station, starting to fulfil a dream I had as a child. I always do this while keeping in mind the happy times which was soundtracked by the music I love, while also being in memory of my grandmother, who was an amazing, strong woman." Thank you Dan.

Live Through This is a collection of portraits and stories of suicide attempt survivors, as told by those survivors. livethroughthis.org

An anonymous email from a listener said, "I want to share with you and your audience "You are a tourist", by Death Cab For Cutie. This song always makes me feel better because I feel it so full of hope. First time I hear it I moved to another city, I left my family and friends behind."

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Written after Lucy Dacus experienced her first anxiety attack.

"...the guitar has been crucial for me to fight my way through my depression minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day. Playing the guitar has forced me to be present in the moment and bought me time so that I can try to get better. I could not have made it through without it." Thank you Drew for sharing how take care of your mental health.

For a list of resources available to those struggling with depression and anxiety, click here: bit.ly

"I’m 61 years old and I’m pretty sure I’ve been suffering from PTSD from seeing horrible violence as a child (great parenting ?) I’ve been self medicating to avoid the pain with a couple of breaks with rehab and therapy. Never took and that’s ok. The thing that’s saved me has been my love of music for all these years so thank to my friends at the station for this day." Thank you Steve for sharing.

Going out to our friend TJ, in loving memory of his wife Jenn.

Thank you to the listener who shared their powerful story about their mother's suicide attempt. Sending love and healing to you and your family.