About us
ME & THE LION - music & mental health
Ani
Songwriter, Singer,
Mental Health Advocate
A broken heart and an unbroken spirit. From that, my songs were born. Only after I had written them did I realize: What they contain affects 18 million people in Germany alone! It has a name and, above all, it is treatable. The realization that I am not alone in this, nor am I to blame, and that I don't have to "just live with it," has changed my entire life. I want to share this knowledge with you, in the hope that you can take something from my journey for your own. I want to give you moments where you feel seen and understood. Because you are not alone – you have a lion.
Leo
Producer, Musician,
Mental Health Advocate
"Where words fall short, music speaks." - My journey as a musician and producer has brought me together with many amazing people. I have learned that topics like depression are much more widespread than I had assumed. I believe it is just as important to actively take care of our mental health as it is to care for our physical health. This includes addressing our problems, much like the traditional Japanese method of repairing broken porcelain with gold lacquer, creating something that becomes even more valuable afterward. MATL represents this principle and provides me with the opportunity to merge personal musical expression with important messages close to my heart.
Music as a bridge to mental health: We are committed to destigmatizing mental illness - with the help of music. Our songs range between rock and pop. Our aim is to convey a feeling of solidarity. No one has to fight alone: we have a lion by our side! After making our debut in 2023 with the single “Let the Rain Come”, our project recently went international: On May 13, 2024, we headlined the “Lifting the Curtain on Mental Health” concert at the Triad Theater in New York City. Our music video for the new single “Lose Yourself” premiered on the big screen at the Regal Cinema in Union Square as part of the “Urban Dreams Mental Health Film Festival” in Manhattan. “ME & THE LION not only provides entertainment, but also conveys an important message. At a time when mental health issues are becoming increasingly important, they break taboos and send a message of openness and understanding.”
Mental Health
From an early age, we are diligently educated about road traffic. But why is there such early education and all the regulations and rules for driver's license exams and vehicle registration? It's because nobody should lose their life. This line of thought is absolutely logical and therefore self-evident to us. However, in Germany, more lives are lost each year due to mental illnesses than in car accidents. 18 million people in Germany alone suffer from a mental illness. Just like a traffic accident, a mental illness can affect anyone. Each of us knows someone who is affected, whether consciously or unconsciously. How we interact with someone affected by a mental illness has as much influence on the course of the illness as our own driving behavior on other drivers in traffic. Our goal is to create general awareness of the topic of "mental health." With ME & THE LION, we aim to contribute to destigmatizing mental illnesses. We are driven by the hope that this change in mindset will ensure that we naturally consider the well-being of others as we do when encountering a red or green traffic light. So that everyone can safely cross the intersection in the end.
Why destigmatization?
[TRIGGER WARNING]
„Studies have shown that the mere feeling of being stigmatized is enough to increase the risk of suicide among those affected. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death worldwide among young people between the ages of 15 and 29. In Germany, approximately the same number of people die by suicide as a result of traffic accidents, AIDS, illegal drugs, and acts of violence combined.“ [Source]
„Research has indicated that the stigmatization of individuals with mental illnesses has, in fact, increased rather than decreased in recent years. This has been particularly observed in the case of conditions such as depression, alcohol dependence, and schizophrenia. [...] It is also common for individuals to refrain from seeking professional support, such as psychological counseling, psychotherapy, or psychiatric treatment, out of fear of further stigmatization. [...] Therefore, it is crucial to counteract the stigmatization and discrimination of individuals with mental illnesses through a range of measures.“ [Source]
But how?
Fact-based education against prejudice
"[…] Based on epidemiological studies, 27.8% of the adult population in Germany is affected by a mental illness every year. This corresponds to the population of North Rhine-Westphalia, with 17.8 million people. Therefore, mental disorders occur just as frequently as other common diseases, such as hypertension.“ [Source]
„From a professional perspective, mental illnesses arise from a complex interplay of biological, genetic, psychological, and social factors. However, some laypeople assume that only psychological and social factors have led to a mental illness. As a result, they often hold the individuals themselves responsible for their illness. […]
Mental illnesses are common in our society and can affect anyone: […] Nevertheless, individuals affected by mental health problems often experience stigma and discrimination from others. [...] This stigma arises solely from prejudices and misconceptions about individuals with mental illnesses.
The most successful aspects in combating stigma have been found to be education and dissemination of knowledge about mental illnesses, as well as personal contact with those affected. It is also beneficial to promote a socially open approach to mental illnesses in society. [...] Regardless of a diagnosis, it is important for individuals with mental illnesses to learn how to cope with their condition. It is important to engage with one's own illness, accept it, and learn to talk about it with other people.“ [Source]
Offers of help
National crisis hotlines
The
National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline
Phone:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The National
Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1800-799-SAFE (7233)
Or by text at 88788
Text “START” to begin the conversation.
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The Rape Abuse &
Incest National Network
Phone: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Or chat online at online.rainn.org
The
988 Lifeline
provides trained crisis counselors
Phone: 988
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