EXCLUSIVE: ROZES Opens Up About Her Own Mental Health Struggles

Philadelphia-born pop starlet, ROZES, has made quite a name for herself over the past few years. From her killer songwriting collaborations & features – The Chainsmokers, Cheat Codes, Galantis & more – to her own material bursting full of her infectious brand of R&B-infused electronic pop, everything seems to be coming up ROZES. Sorry we had to. On September 29, the singer will be releasing her new single, “Famous” – a track about being famous in your own way with the people that love you.

In this exclusive guest blog with Buzznet, ROZES opens up about her own mental health struggles – a topic she’s really passionate about – while giving advice for those who may be struggling.

I am my own worst enemy. There are nights I stay awake worrying about things that I can’t control. I understand that I’m not alone in this, and I think that’s why I started writing music. I want to be there for the people who are stuck in their own minds, like me. I know it’s okay to not be “okay,” but I also know that a lot of people don’t even know that they’re not “okay.”

I’m determined to make people more aware of mental health, because knowledge is power. I want to make it normal and comfortable to talk about feelings and make it known that it’s not shameful to struggle with your own mind; it doesn’t make you weak.

I used to tell myself that I was born too sensitive or that I’m crazy because I feel things a lot harder than some people. I thought it was just the way I was wired and I would always have to live that way. The truth about mental health is that you can get help, and you can learn coping mechanisms when you feel yourself going down.

I guess all I can hope for is that I can be a there as a source of comfort for people suffering within their own thoughts. It’s time that we end the stigma. Mental health is real – don’t think you should just “suck it up.”

I’ll be honest, I was hesitant to go to therapy as an adult. I grew up seeing psychiatrists for childhood ADD and anxiety due to bullying. I thank my parents for this everyday, because without their recognition of mental health’s importance, I’m not sure where I would be today. I found strength in knowing I could get better, so with a little help from my family and friends, I found a therapist that worked for me.

I think a lot of people are hesitant to try out therapy because they fear they won’t have anything to talk about or they’re too shy and think they won’t talk at all. I was this person. What would they ask me? Would they judge me? Would I cry? But the truth is, they’re not there to judge you, they’re there to help you, and whatever you’re going through, more often than not, they’ve helped others through it before.

While it’s important to know having trouble with your mental state isn’t shameful, it’s just as important to know that getting help isn’t shameful either. If anything, it’s courageous.