Pete Townshend reveals he suffers suicidal thoughts every morning
The Who’s Pete Townshend has opened up about his mental health issues, revealing that he wakes up with suicidal thoughts on a daily basis.
The English rock legend has discussed his mental health problems at length on many occasions over the years, as well as his issues with substance abuse. Although Townshend has been sober for over 40 years, his lifelong battle with depression has continued.
In a new interview, Townshend describes it as “chemical depression”. During an earlier stage of his life, the musician did obtain assistance from a therapist but didn’t find it a useful procedure for him. The Who guitarist hasn’t opted to seek help from mental health experts in over 40 years, stating he has no desire to see “f***ing doctors”, and has instead come up with his own unique coping mechanism.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Townshend admitted: “When I first wake up I’m suicidal, actually suicidal.”
The guitarist then revealed that he attempts to wake up as early as possible for the sake of his mental health, often between 2am and 5am. He explained: “I’m still in the state that I was the day before”.
“I have a couple of cups of tea, two digestive biscuits – apparently equal to 17 sugar lumps – and I feel happy,” he told the publication of his morning routine.
Journalling is another tool he’s found to be incredibly useful, adding, “If I start my journals before I have my cup of tea, I’ll paint a very bleak picture of my life. Despite the fact that I have everything that I want and everything that I need… And I have had a really extraordinary life.”
Townshend chose to journal after becoming unhappy with a therapist he was seeing in the 1980s and seeking an alternative route for his well-being. He added, “After the third year, I realised that the woman counselling me had only said about three words. I was just listening to myself. So now I just write journals. Every morning, I rebuild myself in a sense with tea and coffee and a few vitamin pills.”
While waking up early in the morning, drinking copious amounts of tea, and journalling has proved beneficial for Townshend, he understands that this won’t be the same for everyone. Similarly, he comprehends that therapy may work for others, even if it doesn’t for him.
Townshend’s issue with mental health gurus on social media
He explained of his stance, “I think because of social media in particular, the way that we carelessly share not only our anxieties but also perhaps our solutions. We’re a bit careless about that because what works for me won’t necessarily work for you.”
The topic of mental health in the music industry has become more widely addressed since Townshend began talking about his own personal problems. Earlier this year, Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler shared similar issues and lamented the lack of help on hand to him when he first spoke out in the 1970s, which has now thankfully changed.
According to charitable organisation Mind, “Research has shown that people working in the music industry are more prone to mental health problems than the general population, with musicians being up to three times more likely to suffer from depression.”
For help, advice or more information regarding depression, anxiety and mental health issues in the UK, visit Mind, CALM or Samaritans. In the US, visit Samaritans USA.
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