Dubstep pioneer Skrillex has opened up on Twitter, talking about his mental health struggles over the past half-decade and explaining why he “fell off”.
The series of tweets came on the musician’s 35th birthday. He tells his 5.8 million followers that he was very down last year, stemming from his mother passing away a few years ago and him turning to alcohol to cope.
“Had the toughest year of my life in 22, as did so many others,” his first tweet reads. “I literally found myself with no drive and purpose for the first time in my life”
“My mother passed away a few years back 2Nd day of Lollapalooza tour in SA. I never ever coped with it … I drank the pain away and kept going.”
“People ask why 'I’ve been gone' or 'fell off', rightfully so. Like I said 22 was sort of my tipping point, I had to put everything on ice especially my projects/career,” he continues.
He then reveals he cancelled tours and festivals not because he was working on music but rather working to improve himself.
Now, he’s feeling much better.
“For the first time in 4-5 years I’ve found a new sense of peace. It took so much work and sacrifice to get here."
He then shares some advice that his “35 laps around the sun” has made clear to him.
“Turning 35 for me was realising there are certain fucks you should not give, you’ll be more free for that,” he shared.
Finally, he thanks his fans for all the “support shown over the years”, vowing to keep on trying to be better so that he never has to “cancel shows/go into hiding” again.
It’s good to hear Skrillex is doing better, and the results are already showing for the dubstep godfather. He is in the midst of a highly touted comeback to kick off 2023, including the announcement of an upcoming album, dropping the huge tune ‘Rumble’, teasing a song with Missy Elliot, and doing three surprise gigs with Fred Again and Four Tet.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please use the list below, provided by Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
All the services listed here are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.
National Helplines
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Depression-specific helplines
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
www.depression.org.nz – includes The Journal online help service.
SPARX.org.nz – online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.
