Brian May spoke out about the depression he faced during this holiday season in an Instagram post on Friday.

The 72-year-old Queen guitarist gave some stark details on his feelings about the Christmas holiday. “Most of this Christmas period I haven’t wanted to show my face because my face was grim,” he said.

“There’s something about this time of the year that paralyses me,” May continued. “Depression, hopelessness, fear…I get engulfed. Is it logical? No. Should I be grateful for my life and therefore NOT depressed? Yes. But none of that makes any difference when you look up and the colours have gone out of the world.”

Related: Backline Co-Founder Hilary Gleason Talks Taking On The Music Industry’s Mental Health Problem [Interview]

This isn’t the first time May has discussed his mental health. Following the deaths of his father and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, May admitted suicidal thoughts.

It wasn’t all bleak for the rocker, however. May said he would be focusing on health and fitness to wrench himself “back into normality”. Aside from biking and stretching, the guitarist also talked about his focus on veganism.

“Oh! And the Veganuary quest? It went OK on Day 2…There are SO many great vegetables in the world” he said as he described his meals for the day.

 

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Inspiration for the next 10 years ? Thanks to my dear friend Joe Elliott @defleppard I have this great image of my hero Jimi Hendrix on my wall to remind me to keep reaching for the stars. Ach ! A bit too glib for you ? Well, that’s my brave face. Most of this Christmas period I haven’t wanted to show my face because my face was grim. There’s something about this time of the year that paralyses me. Depression, hopelessness, fear … I get engulfed. Is it logical ? No. Should I be grateful for my life and therefore NOT depressed ? Yes. But none of that makes any difference when you look up and the colours have gone out of the world. Tomorrow I am wrenching myself back into ‘normality’ – starting with some biking and stretching and hot and cold showering. Oh ! And the Veganuary quest ? It went OK on Day 2. Breakfast : half a grapefruit and crispbread with plant-based spread and home-made marmalade. Jasmin tea, black. Lunch : a Vegan Leggera Padana in Pizza Express with my littlest ones. That’s very easy – they do it all for you – they make it with Vegan cheese and it tastes just like ‘normal’ ! And for Dinner : some nice light veggies prepared by my amazing wife ! There are SO many great vegetables in the world – artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, roasted parsnips, new potatoes, and a rocket and tomato salad, perked up with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar from dear old Luciano Pavarotti’s home town. Plus a nice selection of nuts and raisins. Hey ! This is a doddle !! Ha ha !! Well, we shall see ! Happy Friday folks … we’ll soon be out of this murky Sargasso Sea ! Bri

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal) on

Here’s to hoping Brian May can continue working on his depression and the improvement of his mental health!

In the wake of several tragic losses in recent months, more than fifty music industry professionals have banded together to launch an industry-wide mental health support initiative, Backline.

Backline is a hub for artists, industry professionals and their families to quickly and easily access mental health and wellness resources. Backline has partnered with leading support organizations and care providers to streamline access to services specifically geared towards the music industry including Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Anders Osborne’s Send Me a Friend, VA Way, and more.

Related: Backline Shares Andy Frasco Testimonial For World Mental Health Day

Backline’s creation was supported by industry professionals including Ben Baruch (11E1even Group), Nadia Prescher (Madison House), Joshua Knight (Paradigm Agency), Jay Sweet (Newport Folk Festival), and Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl).

The Backline site launched on October 7th, 2019 at www.backline.care. The website started as a referral-based system where professionals assess visitors’ needs and lead them to appropriate resources.

Backline’s goal is to provide a network of on-demand mental health services available at no (or low) cost for industry professionals, with a focus on addressing the unique challenges and stresses of our space.