In 2025, music continues to serve as a powerful lifeline for millions struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. These songs have resonated deeply with listeners, offering comfort, understanding, and hope during difficult times. Research shows that 92% of Americans report music has helped them through tough times, particularly with anxiety, loneliness, and depression. The tracks featured here represent the most impactful mental health anthems from recent years, including fresh releases that have become essential songs for emotional healing and personal resilience.
Sailor Song by Gigi Perez
Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song” emerged as the most frequently appearing track across over 110,000 Spotify mental health playlists in 2025, making it an undeniable cultural phenomenon. Released in July 2024, this indie folk ballad captures the desperation of seeking love as an escape from deep emotional pain and uncertainty. The song peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in Ireland, Latvia, and the United Kingdom, resonating particularly with younger LGBTQ+ audiences who found solace in its honest portrayal of identity struggles and the search for belonging during mental health challenges.
What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s Oscar-winning masterpiece from the Barbie soundtrack addresses existential questions about purpose and identity that plague many experiencing depression and anxiety. The song swept major awards in 2024, winning both the Grammy for Song of the Year and the Academy Award for Best Original Song, cementing its cultural significance. With its haunting melody and vulnerable lyrics exploring feelings of emptiness and the struggle to find happiness, this track became an anthem for those questioning their place in the world and battling the numbness that often accompanies mental health struggles.
In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes opened up about his personal battle with anxiety through this powerful pop anthem that emphasizes perseverance despite overwhelming fear and panic. The song reassures listeners experiencing anxiety attacks that giving up is not inevitable, delivering the crucial message that seeking help and continuing to fight is possible. Mendes has been vocal about his own mental health journey, making this track particularly authentic and relatable for young people facing similar challenges who feel isolated in their struggles with panic disorder and generalized anxiety.
Breathin by Ariana Grande
Released from her album Sweetener, “Breathin” captures the unexpected and often debilitating nature of anxiety attacks that can strike even during routine activities. Grande discussed the song’s deeply personal meaning on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, explaining how it reflects her own experiences with panic and the constant effort required just to keep breathing through overwhelming moments. The track demonstrates that anxiety doesn’t discriminate based on success or public persona, offering validation to listeners who may feel ashamed of their mental health struggles despite appearing to have everything together on the surface.
1-800-273-8255 by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid
Named after the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, this groundbreaking track addresses suicidal ideation with unprecedented directness and compassion in mainstream music. The song’s structure takes listeners through the perspective of someone contemplating suicide before transitioning to the hopeful voice of a crisis counselor, ultimately reaching a resolution where the caller declares they finally want to be alive. Logic created this track specifically to use his artistic platform to save lives, and research following its release showed a significant increase in calls to the suicide prevention hotline, proving music’s tangible impact on mental health outcomes.
The Night We Met by Lord Huron
This haunting ballad about longing and regret became one of the most featured songs on mental health playlists, particularly resonating with those experiencing depression and grief. The song’s melancholic melody and lyrics about wishing to return to a happier time capture the nostalgic pain of loss and the struggle to move forward while carrying emotional weight. Its inclusion in the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” amplified its connection to mental health conversations, though listeners have found personal meaning in its exploration of memory, regret, and the impossibility of recapturing lost moments of happiness.
Heather by Conan Gray
Conan Gray’s breakout hit addresses feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and the painful experience of comparing oneself to others who seem effortlessly perfect. The song resonated particularly with young people struggling with self-esteem issues and the mental toll of feeling like they’ll never measure up to idealized standards. Gray’s vulnerable storytelling about unrequited love and self-worth issues speaks to the depression and anxiety that can stem from constantly feeling like the second choice, making it a powerful anthem for those battling negative self-perception and the loneliness that accompanies feeling invisible.
Family Line by Conan Gray
In this deeply personal track, Conan Gray explores generational trauma, family dysfunction, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences on mental health. The song acknowledges how patterns of behavior and emotional pain can be inherited through family lines, addressing the complex relationship between upbringing and adult mental health struggles. Gray’s honest examination of how childhood wounds continue to affect him resonates with listeners working through trauma, family estrangement, and the difficult process of breaking cycles while still loving imperfect family members who may have contributed to their mental health challenges.
Let You Down by NF
NF’s emotionally raw track about perfectionism, self-doubt, and the fear of disappointing others strikes a chord with listeners battling depression and anxiety rooted in high expectations. The rapper’s vulnerable confession about falling short despite his best efforts validates the experience of those who struggle with feelings of inadequacy and the weight of perceived failure. His honest portrayal of mental health struggles through hip-hop provides representation for demographics who may not see their experiences reflected in other genres, while the song’s message encourages self-compassion and acknowledges that struggling doesn’t equal weakness.
Numb by Linkin Park
Linkin Park’s iconic anthem remains relevant for new generations discovering its powerful message about feeling trapped under others’ expectations and losing one’s identity. The song captures the suffocating experience of depression where emotional numbness replaces feeling, and the desperate desire to break free from the pressure to conform becomes overwhelming. Following Chester Bennington’s tragic death, the song took on even deeper meaning for fans, serving as both a memorial and a reminder of the importance of recognizing when someone is silently struggling behind a facade of strength.
Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance’s punk rock commentary on adolescent alienation and the dark side of youth culture addresses the anxiety and depression many teenagers face while navigating social pressures. The song’s aggressive energy channels the anger and frustration that often mask deeper mental health struggles in young people who feel misunderstood by adults and society. While initially written as a critique of how teenagers are perceived and feared, the track has become an anthem for youth who feel marginalized, offering validation that their emotional turmoil is real and their rebellion against conformity is justified.
Washing Machine Heart by Mitski
Mitski’s indie rock ballad uses the metaphor of a washing machine to describe the cyclical nature of toxic relationships and the emotional exhaustion that accompanies them. The song resonates with listeners experiencing depression related to unhealthy romantic patterns, codependency, and the feeling of being used while desperately seeking genuine connection. Mitski’s ability to articulate complex emotional states through unique metaphors has made this track particularly meaningful for those who struggle to explain their mental health experiences, offering language for feelings that often seem impossible to describe.
Romantic Homicide by d4vd
This Gen Z bedroom pop sensation explores the devastating emotional aftermath of betrayal and heartbreak that triggers depression and trust issues. D4vd’s lo-fi production and vulnerable vocals capture the rawness of feeling emotionally murdered by someone you loved, addressing the mental health impact of romantic trauma. The song’s viral success on TikTok demonstrates how younger generations are increasingly open about mental health struggles related to relationships, with the track providing a soundtrack for processing grief, anger, and the depression that follows emotional devastation.
Lovely by Billie Eilish and Khalid
This haunting duet between Billie Eilish and Khalid portrays the experience of feeling trapped in emotional pain, loneliness, and depression with nowhere to escape. The song’s ethereal production creates an atmosphere of beautiful sadness that mirrors the conflicting emotions of depression, where suffering can feel both isolating and strangely intimate. Featured on the “13 Reasons Why” soundtrack, the track addresses the dark thoughts and feelings of hopelessness that many young people experience, while the collaboration between two artists represents shared vulnerability and the comfort of knowing you’re not alone in your struggles.
24/7 by Kehlani
Kehlani’s honest reflection on mental health reminds listeners that it’s acceptable to not be okay all the time, challenging the toxic positivity that often silences those struggling with depression and anxiety. The song encourages embracing imperfection, struggle, and the healing process without shame or apology, offering permission to exist authentically even when that means admitting you’re not fine. Kehlani’s vulnerability about her own mental health journey, including past suicide attempts, adds weight to the message that recovery isn’t linear and that showing weakness actually demonstrates strength.
Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots’ breakout hit captures the anxiety of adult responsibilities and the longing for the simpler times of childhood when mental health struggles felt less overwhelming. The song’s nostalgic lyrics about wishing to turn back time resonate with listeners experiencing depression related to life pressures, financial stress, and the loss of innocence that comes with aging. Its commentary on feeling inadequate in the face of societal expectations and yearning for a time when anxiety didn’t control daily life has made it an enduring anthem for millennials and Gen Z navigating mental health challenges in an increasingly demanding world.
In My Mind by Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes continues his mental health advocacy with this track that explores the internal battles with anxiety and hopelessness that occur silently within one’s mind. The song captures the desperate urge to give up while ultimately choosing to keep fighting, portraying the daily decision to survive that many with mental illness must make. Mendes’ raw honesty about feeling overwhelmed when things become too much validates the experience of those who struggle with intrusive thoughts and the exhausting nature of maintaining mental health while appearing functional to the outside world.
Help! by The Beatles
The Beatles’ classic remains remarkably relevant, with its straightforward plea for assistance when feeling down demonstrating that even the most successful people struggle with mental health. John Lennon later revealed the song was a genuine cry for help during a period of depression, making it one of the earliest mainstream acknowledgments of mental illness in popular music. The track’s enduring appeal lies in its simple message that asking for help is not only acceptable but necessary, encouraging listeners to reach out when they appreciate having supportive people around them rather than suffering in isolation.
Anxiety by Simple Plan
Simple Plan’s punk rock anthem about struggling to breathe and feeling trapped by panic attacks provides energetic validation for those experiencing the physical symptoms of anxiety disorders. The song’s upbeat tempo contrasts with its dark subject matter, mirroring how many people with anxiety appear fine externally while internally battling overwhelming worry and panic. By explicitly naming anxiety and describing its manifestations, the track helps listeners feel less alone in their experiences and encourages conversations about mental health within the rock music community where vulnerability has not always been embraced.
pick up the phone by Henry Moodie
Released in 2024, this heartfelt track resonates with real-life experiences of loneliness and mental health struggles while emphasizing the critical importance of reaching out for support. Henry Moodie encourages listeners to literally pick up the phone during emotional crises, reminding them they’re not alone even when isolation feels overwhelming. The song’s simple yet powerful message about the potentially life-saving act of making a call to a friend, family member, or crisis hotline has resonated particularly with younger audiences who may struggle with asking for help despite being more digitally connected than any previous generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does music help with mental health?
Music helps with mental health by providing emotional validation, reducing stress hormones, and offering a healthy coping mechanism for processing difficult feelings. Studies show that 92% of Americans have found music helpful during tough times, particularly for managing anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Listening to songs that reflect your experiences can make you feel less alone, while certain melodies and rhythms can physically calm the nervous system and regulate mood through their impact on brain chemistry and emotional processing centers.
Can listening to sad songs help depression?
Listening to sad songs can actually help with depression by validating emotions and providing catharsis through musical expression of pain that might be difficult to articulate otherwise. Research indicates that people often turn to melancholic music when depressed because it offers companionship in suffering and can facilitate emotional processing rather than suppression. However, balance is important, and mental health professionals recommend alternating between songs that validate sadness and those that inspire hope, while being mindful if certain music consistently worsens mood rather than providing relief.
What are the best genres for mental health support?
Metal emerged as the most common genre on Spotify mental health playlists, with artists like Metallica, Slipknot, and Korn providing cathartic release through heavy sounds, while pop artists like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish ranked highly for their emotionally honest lyrics. Classical and jazz listeners reported the best overall mental health scores, with 55% and 53% respectively describing their mental state as good. EDM has become increasingly popular as a coping tool, with 14% of people naming it their go-to genre when feeling down, demonstrating that the best genre for mental health support varies based on individual needs and what resonates personally with each listener.
Should I use music instead of therapy for mental health?
While 51% of people report using music instead of traditional therapy and 57% say it’s equally impactful, music should complement rather than replace professional mental health treatment for serious conditions. Music provides valuable emotional support, validation, and coping mechanisms that can enhance overall mental wellness and help during difficult moments between therapy sessions. However, persistent mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, or symptoms that interfere with daily functioning require professional intervention from trained therapists or psychiatrists who can provide comprehensive treatment including therapy, medication if needed, and personalized strategies that music alone cannot offer.
How can I create a mental health playlist?
Create a mental health playlist by selecting songs that validate your specific experiences with anxiety, depression, or other challenges while also including tracks that inspire hope and resilience. Consider exploring different musical styles from quality headphones to fully experience the emotional depth, and organize songs by mood or purpose, such as “validation” tracks for when you need to feel understood, “energy” songs for motivation, and “calm” pieces for anxiety relief. Remember that your playlist is personal, so include whatever resonates with you regardless of genre, and don’t hesitate to update it as your needs change, while also ensuring you have access to reliable earbuds for private listening when needed.