John Lennon and His Journey with Mental Health

It’s hard to believe that it has been over 40 years since the world lost one of the greatest musicians and peace activists of all time – John Lennon. While he will always be remembered for his incredible music and messages of love and peace, not many people know about his struggles with mental health. In this article, we will explore John Lennon’s journey with mental health and how he used his platform to bring awareness to this important issue.

The Early Years

John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England in 1940. He had a difficult childhood, with his parents separating when he was just five years old. This event had a profound effect on John and his mental state. He was known to have a strained relationship with his mother and missed his father terribly, which caused him to become withdrawn and distant.

As John got older, he found solace in music and formed the iconic band, The Beatles, with his friends Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The band rose to fame in the 1960s and became one of the most influential bands in history. But in the midst of their success, John’s mental health began to deteriorate.

The Journey with Bipolar Disorder

It wasn’t until later in life that John was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but looking back on his life, there were signs of the illness throughout his career. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, including manic episodes and periods of depression.

John’s erratic behavior was evident in his music, often switching from upbeat, energetic songs, to somber and emotional ones. He also struggled with substance abuse, which is common in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Despite his mental health struggles, John continued to make music and use his platform to advocate for peace and love. He wrote the song “Help!” during a low point in his life, which many now recognize as an anthem for mental health awareness.

Breaking the Stigma

In the 1970s, mental health was still a taboo topic, and there was a great deal of stigma surrounding mental illness. But John Lennon was not afraid to talk about his struggles openly. He used his influence to share his story and encourage others to seek help.

In one of his most famous interviews with “Rolling Stone” magazine, John talked about his mental health and said, “I’m not afraid of death because I don’t believe in it. It’s just getting out of one car and into another.” This quote not only shows his acceptance of death but also his willingness to talk about a sensitive topic like mental health.

John also used his music to shed light on mental health. In his song “In My Life,” he describes his anxiety and how it affected his relationships. This was a revolutionary concept at the time, as mental health was not commonly discussed in music.

The Legacy of John Lennon

John Lennon will forever be remembered as an incredibly talented musician, but his impact goes far beyond his music. He was a trailblazer when it came to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. He used his struggles as a platform to bring awareness to the issue and encouraged others to seek help without shame or fear.

Even after his tragic death in 1980, his legacy lives on. In 2020, on what would have been his 80th birthday, John Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, shared a message on Instagram encouraging others to “take deep breaths and remember that grief is a part of the process of healing and becoming whole.”

John Lennon’s journey with mental health has left a lasting impact and continues to inspire others to speak out and seek help. As he once said, “the thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had.”


For more information on mental health and other important topics, check out Why is Explained. And remember, it’s okay to not be okay. Don’t be afraid to seek help and know that you are not alone.

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