Finding Harmony: Jay Long on Music, Identity, & Mental Stability | You. Me. Honestly.

"The topics of mental health, the topics of religion and upbringing, being in the church, coming out as gay, being a queer human...all of that has influenced how and why I create music."
In this video, Queer Artist, Musician, & Teacher Jay Long shares how music has always been such an important and integral part of his life. Jay also talks about the mental health struggles they've faced, including living with ADHD, being bipolar, experiencing anxiety and depression, and becoming a suicide attempt survivor. Jay opens up about how grateful they are to be a survivor of attempted suicide because since then, Jay's life has improved for the better. Jay's family relationships got better, and Jay has since been able to learn many tools, tricks, and tips for how to manage mental health challenges in order to obtain, and maintain, mental stability.
Watch this full interview with LGBTQ+ Musician, Elementary Music Teacher, and Mental Health Advocate, Jay Long and "You. Me. Honestly." Host and fellow Queer Musician and Mental Health Advocate, X. ARI. In this Jay Long interview, Jay and X. ARI have a conversation about the power of music, the challenges that come with being queer / identifying as LGBTQ+ while also growing up in the church with a religious upbringing. Watch the full video to find out more about Jay's story and the integral role that music has played in Jay's mental health journey.
KEY MOMENTS
00:00 - Religion & Queer Identity
03:18 - Mental Health Struggles
04:10 - Bipolar Diagnosis
05:50 - ‘Auditioning’ Medications
08:53 - Reframing Negative Thoughts
11:06 - Life After Surviving Attempted Suicide
17:05 - Prioritizing Mental Stability
19:26 - Self-Care & Making Mental Health Fun
22:00 - 3 Questions for Mindfulness
25:28 - Mental Health in Music
29:24 - Becoming an Elementary School Music Teacher
33:22 - The Healing Power of Music
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