The Getaway Plan vocalist gives update on mental illness

4 August 2014 | 4:11 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

The Getaway Plan vocalist Matthew Wright has given a candid and honest insight into his recent battles with depression and anxiety.

The Getaway Plan vocalist Matthew Wright has given a candid and honest insight into his recent battles with depression and anxiety.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Wright is forthright and sincere in his observations, which discuss issues relating to mental illness.

The Getaway Plan have been working on a new studio album before the band supports Anberlin on their farewell tour this September.

Wright posted the following:

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Hello friends, Matthew here.

I’ve recently been through something in my personal life which I feel compelled to share here. I’ve never really used this as a platform to express anything on this level before, so please try and respect that this is a rather confronting thing for me to do.

I’m currently at the back-end of a long and dark period in my life in which I slipped in to some of the deepest and heaviest depression/anxiety that I knew I could ever possibly experience. Prior to this, I believed I was not susceptible to such things and so it took me by surprise and hit me like a freight train. Long story short- A few years ago I made some poor life decisions, got involved in some poisonous situations and ended up isolating myself from my friends, my family and the world in general. As I fell deeper and deeper in to a hole, I began losing sight of what truly mattered to me in life. The band continued to tour, but any happiness that music usually brought to me, was more or less non-existent. I lost all faith in the universe and all faith in myself as a human and as an artist. I came to believe that I would never see an end to what I was going through. Only now, after nearly 4 years am I beginning to see the light, see how wrong I was and take the correct steps to pull myself out of the rut that I’ve been in.

I don’t know if anyone has noticed that my stage presence has seemed odd here and there over the last few years. I certainly have. Struggling through depression and trying to sing from the heart can be an extremely difficult thing to do. Whilst music can be an outlet, it can also be crippling when you want to give it everything you’ve got and you a’int got much to give. I sincerely apologise if I have let any fans down by coming across as rude or arrogant at any point. I have endless love in my heart for each and every one of you and I would never wish any of you to feel otherwise. Unfortunately this disorder doesn’t have a pause button and some days are harder than others. I’m happy to say that I’ve found true love for music again and writing for this new record has been an absolute joy, if not a saviour.

This post is in no way meant to be self-victimising. My point here is that mental issues go unnoticed far too often in this world when they shouldn’t have to. Awareness is absolutely vital in these situations. There are countless people out there who are alone in their suffering just like I was and it doesn’t have to be that way. If anyone reading this can relate, I want you to know that keeping it to yourself is not the answer. I kept it to myself for far too long and it nearly ruined me beyond repair. Whatever it may be that you are going through, sharing it with someone else and getting a different perspective can really make all the difference in the world. On the other side of things- If anyone you know seems a bit off, just reach out and ask. Believe me, it’s worth your time and they will appreciate it.

Much love!

- Matthew