Corey Mother Fuckin' Taylor

""There's an unwritten responsibility that comes with this gig. People look to you for inspiration and guidance whether you like it or not.

"And I know a lot of people that don't like that responsibility. I take it very, very seriously.

"So in a lot of ways, I try to lead by example. And yeah, it's uncomfortable to open up like that, but at the same time, if you can't talk about an issue, how are you going to fix it?

"And that’s one of the things that people don't understand. If you just don't say anything, that's not going to fix the problem. You fix a problem by working on it, you know?

"I also know there's a giant stigma that comes with therapy and dealing with issues, with demons. A lot of people don't want to talk about it or look down at it or tend to make fun of other people for having it or engaging in it.

"I'm trying to break that down by showing people that, yes, I go to therapy as well and I'm still trying to work out my demons and the things I went through in my life.

"Will I ever get it all figured out? Probably not. But that's why it's a process.

"So if me bearing my shit and laying it all out helps people start to work on theirs as well, then where's the negative part of that? I can take criticism, I can take all that shit.

"But if I'm leading by example, why not? And if me doing that helps people get help and help themselves in their life and make better decisions and do better things for other people, that spreads like wildfire. I would be a fucking asshole not to try to do that.

"I'd like to think [that it's become easier to discuss mental issues]. But you can also be very myopic and only see your end of the cultural swimming pool whereas the world, the country, is still a big place.

"There's still big pockets even in places here in America where that's still looked down upon because of some stoic bullshit where it's like, 'Oh, you just sit on your problems, you shouldn't talk about it. Just suck it up, grow up.'

"Nah, that doesn't work for me, fuck you. Growing up and sucking it up is not the same thing.

"Growing up means owning your shit and if owning your shit means talking to someone, what's the problem?

"I think it's that tough-guy bullshit that people have bullshitted themselves into, which actually makes you weaker. It makes you more susceptible to negative things in life. Nobody wants to talk about that.

"It's one of the reasons why we have so many soldiers coming back with PTSD who are not getting the help they want because people around them for too long have told them to suck it up or get over it.

"That's not how you fix a problem. You don't fix a problem by getting over it, you fix a problem by talking about it and leaning on people who have been through it before. By talking to people, maybe you can get the answers that will help you with your problems.

"I have talked to so many soldiers who deal with PTSD and are so thankful that there's a network of veterans who have been through it before and have helped them get back on their feet.

"But people don't want to talk about that. I think maybe this is the time to talk about it. And I think maybe the juxtaposition is starting to break down and that conversation is starting to happen in places where maybe that conversation didn’t want to happen.

"But it's a cultural thing as well. It's not just the stigma of getting help but letting go of dogmatic bullshit that has been breaking us down for too fucking long of making the appearance of strength actually seem weak.""