According to an article in the July 2025 issue of Unclear Magazine, every concert by the band Twenty One Pilots ends with the same statement from the stage: We’re Twenty One Pilots, and so are you.
Leonie Harych’s piece is titled, “From Lyrics to Lifelines: Why Twenty One Pilots Mean Everything to Their Fans.” In the article’s third paragraph, Harych highlights the ways in which the duo—vocalist and pianist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun—connect with their fanbase around issues of mental health.
Long before mental health found the societal attention it so urgently needed, the two musicians from Ohio were already committed to the cause. From the very start of their career, they used their platform to bring awareness and encourage dialogue around sensitive subjects. Despite their growing success, they haven’t shied away from pushing back against the mainstream silence. As young people follow along, increasingly opening up about their struggles, both on social media and in everyday life, it has become clearer than ever that the need for meaningful conversation about mental health, at home, in schools, and across mainstream platforms, is a pressing matter. This is exactly what the band caters to…[Fans] feel seen and empowered to use this mutual understanding to come together and uphold a space to directly address the importance of mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.
The band has been thinking about and addressing these issues for years. In 2020, Joseph tweeted, “Your own mental health should always be a priority. I’m amazed at how easy it is to forget that simple fact. it’s something that can sneak up on you, then eventually you check in on it and realize it’s in really bad shape.”
All of this is one important message from Twenty One Pilots. Let’s take a closer look.
Prioritize Your Mental Health
Joseph was correct when he suggested that it can be all too easy to let a mental health disorder get its hooks in your life before you effectively address it. Our schedules are so busy and our responsibilities can be so heavy, it can simply seem like we do not have the time to devote to working on our mental health.
You see this when it comes to physical health all the time. Folks don’t exercise or eat healthily or get enough sleep because they feel powerless to do so—and their physical health declines as a result. Not taking care of your mental health leads to less wellness in that area, too.
We do have some good news, though: It turns out that many of the behaviors that are good for your physical health also support your mental health. That means when you commit to regular exercise, healthful eating, and restful sleep, you are supporting the full scope of your well-being. That might be the motivator you need when it seems like all those healthy habits are falling by the wayside.
Your Close Connections Serve You Well
As noted, many fans of Twenty One Pilots feel a real connection with the band and with other fans—and that feeling of connection can have a meaningful positive impact on a person’s mental health.
But you do not have to find a whole bunch of people who like the same music you do. Building and sustaining positive relationships with your friends and your family is a great way to support your mental health.
What those connections entail will vary from person to person as extroverted folks, introverted folks, and those in between navigate what level of social connection energizes them and boosts their well-being. What is important is that you find your people and spend time with them in ways that are good for all of you.
A Band Is No Replacement for Mental Health Care
It is certainly the case that Twenty One Pilots connects to their fans around mental health issues and the things that stress them out. Listening to their music might feel comforting and cathartic—and that is wonderful.
We do want to note, however, that if you are struggling with a mental health disorder, the best thing you can do for yourself is to seek out effective, evidence-based treatment. The various kinds of depression, anxiety and panic disorders, issues centered around traumatic experiences, and more are unlikely to resolve themselves just because your favorite group is singing in your headphones.
Still, we appreciate everyone—from celebrities to everyday people—who works to reduce the stigma of mental illness so that more people will seek out the help they need.
We’re Ready to Help
Located in Tucson, Arizona, Cottonwood helps individuals who are struggling with mental health disorders and addiction so that they can renew the balance in their lives while embracing hope for the future. If you are facing mental health challenges, we urge you to pursue the compassionate, empathetic treatment that Cottonwood offers. Making a positive change can make a huge difference in your life, your relationships, and more. When you are ready to pursue better mental health, we are ready to help you reach your goals.
