Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach on Battling Mental Illness

[@nembience1]

"I’ve seen rock bottom and I’ve smashed my fists against it" So powerful and so true!

[@Metalheadaches]

I'd love to quote that on a song

[@roystonito]

Thanks for talking about this Graham and Jesse. It means a lot to many of us

[@jodywoodruff6473]

I have depression and anxiety. thank God people are starting to talk about it. I'm not ashamed of it,its part of who I am. I agree with everything he said.

[@Patrick-pu6xg]

Things get better. If you have depression, that might mean that you are missing something. For me, it was friends.

[@jodywoodruff6473]

Jose1295 I think I'm missing friends and feeling like I live in a prison

[@Patrick-pu6xg]

Jody Adle well, that was easy. you now know why youre depressed. You need to hang out with your friends a bit more. I know its not easy, but try it.

[@jodywoodruff6473]

Jose1295 I'm moving to be with my girlfriend. I go to therapy. So that keeps me happy.☺

[@Patrick-pu6xg]

Jody Adle stay strong man 💪

[@rvbagentky6532]

Holy shit I just gained so much respect for this amazing man. I have autism (Aspergers Syndrome) and he absolutely hit the nail through the head.

[@chandlerjohnson5188]

Thanks jessie. I have been suffering from depression for years. Hearing you talk about it made me feel a lot better.

[@crucifixmegabuster95]

being a virgin at age 21 not drinking or smoking feeling the worlds weight come crashing down. feeling like I'm being made fun of and judged either by peers, strangers or even the unseen. I know depression hell its my worst enemy. however kill switch helped me with it. lyrics and the heavy pounding or drums and guitars. the vocals echoing my pain and releasing it for me I feel better.

[@DeathcoreHusky]

Hey dude im 25 years and never had sex with a women i just dont give a shit about girlfriend, what important for me is my music and my family people nowday took sex too much important your not a better human because you fuck twice a week for me sex is just a waste of time , i prefer focusing of music and spending time with my family

[@yvesheinrich5013]

I could careless about virginity, though. The fact of the matter I have full respect for women, when the right time comes, I'll just make love to my girlfriend (which I wish I had one)/future wife. Family, music, and good people/friends that you can trust to the fullest always comes first.

[@MattyT_86]

Don't worry about those things. I'm in m 30's, and I dont drink, dont smoke, generally avoid those things which the majority of western society seem quite obsessed with. have you got any deep interests / hobbies? head on over to reddit.com/r/casualconversation and join in the discussions on there. You do you!

[@tannerangiletta7901]

True I’m 20 with abs, a good heart and never even kissed a girl let alone sex god bless you man 👏🏼👏🏼

[@bone9695]

U feminist bitch

[@MetallicaKing48]

The single "Strength of the Mind" also speaks of battling mental illness.

[@killswitchrulez00]

I appreciate him being open about this.

[@JunkieMonkey321]

jesses right. getting help for mental illness is almost tabboo and talking about it is mad difficult for people who have it. and when they do get help, its often shitty prescriptions. take care of yourselves out there fams

[@madwonderland5536]

If anyone has depression, try these: CBD oil (the non-recreational component of marijuana) Lithium Orotate (boosts your mood just slightly) Switching to a ketogenic diet (increase energy and motivation) Exercising (natural Vitamin D, endorphins, etc) Therapy (talking about it with someone and getting an outsider perspective)

[@Robert-rl7rd]

madwonderland CBD is great for anxiety! It's like a less potent valium but depends how much you take. It's helped me so much

[@tjflash60]

Thanks for speaking about this experience. It seems more difficult for people to discuss struggling with mental illness than it is to discuss struggling with substance abuse or some physical illness.

[@bassman0704]

This is a great interview! Very deep and very true.

[@kannonmcafee]

Good to hear you talk about this, Jesse. I agree with pretty much everything you guys said.

[@5carecrow94]

Dude would make a badass Sabretooth.

[@wheelchairRager-tb5bl]

Hahaha he definitely would

[@gonzalochairez677]

Hell yeah Ive thought about that too!

[@giovannideldio]

two things: First off, as someone who suffers from depression I greatly appreciate this being posted, more so cause it involves someone I admire from a group I love. I have even more respect for Jesse. his honesty and openness are to be admired. secondly, man you're knocking these interviews or if the park! this one, lacey, cannibal corpse, and Tom Araya have been excellent! !!

[@billthompson5644]

Killswitch I saw you guys, YOU ARE GREAT. I am grateful for both of you addressing this.

[@jaycerodgers4390]

Thanks for the incite, Jesse! You are more than right about anxiety and depression. There are many things out there that help people like us, but are not yet legal. We must keep pressing the issue! Killswitch Engage is my continuing source of inspiration.

[@unitarymicrobe]

Stomach growl at 4:32 lol. Amazing video from an awesome dude who's helped me through some tough struggles

[@vladdydaddy5197]

Life is simply my roller coaster. I let it ride, and I let the music be the soundtrack. I am not afraid. I only know that everything will end up okay. Thanks to Jesse, Garret, and Ivan.

[@vladdydaddy5197]

I feel the feels. I love Jesse. His mind would be so wonderful to pick, and to jam with him would be a gift.

[@cecilwilliams4076]

Right? He seems like the kind of person you could sit down and have a drink with and talk to for hours.

[@pramudananjaya1548]

It falls on me was a FREAKIN' FANTASTIC!!!!!!

[@fullmetalmedia4877]

Really enjoyed this interview. Good on the both of you for adding to the conversation and offering positive input Jesse, Cheers!

[@cecilwilliams4076]

I look up to Jesse so much.

[@SAI-st4uu]

The reason why Jesse left Killswitch Engage is because of his depression. He wasn't happy while he was touring and he left the band to try and control himself. When he came back he looked and sound much better. No disrespect to the old stuff but he does.

[@mitchcobain9411]

Gruhamed, if you are reading this, please do more of these videos; the kinds of videos where you and the person you are interviewing are compatible. This, I think, was one of your best interviews. The interview with Phil Anselmo looked really awkward, but the ones with cannibal corpse and slayer were great also. By any chance, can you interview Nergal of Behemoth?

[@LoudwireMusic]

+Mitch Cobain Thanks man. I'm hoping to interview Nergal when Behemoth comes into town. Fingers crossed - G

[@foofy14]

+Loudwire That would be amazing!

[@m3talfrk]

to be fair Phil can make any interviewer awkward

[@GyroLamb]

Well he can't really decide if he's going to be compatible with someone or not.

[@matt-tp1ww]

Jesse should write a book

[@cecilwilliams4076]

That would be an amazing read, but one can say that his lyrics are his story. He puts everything into his lyrics.

[@AnfalasHerdsman]

i love the way he talk

[@wtschnitzel9756]

4:32 someones hungry

[@dimagabriel4699]

Lmao

[@BegetterVIIEVEN]

He's about to fart 😂

[@abusivesystems9844]

Great interview.

[@WrathUponEden]

I love this man so much.

[@hilaryscuttlebloom5402]

Exercise, weed and heavy music seem to help me. getting off of earth would cure it but as that isn't possible i have to made do with symptom management.

[@hilaryscuttlebloom5402]

Oh and kids, if you suffer from depression stay the fuck away from MDMA. I abused it for a good 5 years and think i have done irreparable damage to my serotonergic systems/pathways.

[@Windir91]

+Hilary Scuttlebloom no shit excessive use on mdma (and weed ) drains your dopamine. Both can help against depression, but excessive use makes it tenfold worse than the depression you had to start with

[@Windir91]

+Hilary Scuttlebloom no shit excessive use of mdma (and weed ) drains your dopamine. Both can help against depression, but excessive use makes it tenfold worse than the depression you had to start with.

[@holspa]

Positive is the key. TURN UP THE MUSIC AND TURN DOWN THE DRAMA. Have a good day everybody. By the way, will buy the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album. Liked the new songs on you tube.

[@jasonhobbs1345]

thank you for this video

[@robster7775]

Mind over matter Jesse. Right on man. Stay the course.

[@crazddrifterr]

I think the term mental illness promotes negative stigma ( on my personal experience) You have some psycho kill a child and burn bodies and the news said " the man was mentally ill". It seems every time we discuss mental health is when there is just some nutcase out there , which commits horrible acts ( which isn't due to depression or anxiety etc) or when a celebrity commits suicide,.. but even that can be pushed aside as some other issue or "drug abuse". I'm open to everybody about having bi polar ( not like "hey, i'm a vegan " style) but I feel growing up diagnosed at 16 with bi polar and a anxiety disorder, nothing made me worse than feeling like the weird kid into metal who has to take pills to stay "sane" and not having anyone my age to relate to made me feel more isolated and worse about my self confidence than before I got help in the form of medication and seeing a psychologist. If there was more of a open dialogue it would be like he said, people relate to you and can give you ideas to help you through common struggles,. like a massive therapy group where people are educated on the matter of Mental Health.

[@likelytofollowin4thgear314]

I'm am constantly forced to take medication everyday to "help me" in school. I don't feel like myself and that for me has caused my little spurt of depression

[@reeeeeee9230]

this video will speak to some on a deep level

[@TheShmrsh]

the ending is gold

[@chexlemeneux3484]

Is Gruhamed wearing a Bloodbath's Unblessing the Purity EP shirt? That cover art is so cool.

[@danielpolido6064]

Yeah he is.

[@meapantz1983]

Inspirational

[@christianmedellin34]

what was that noise on 4:32 ??

[@daveb4841]

Yea, it's a part of who I am. I can't even imagine a life without it

[@daveb4841]

+Dave B Not that that's good, it just is

[@looshkin66]

weed is legal where I live......i wish the rest of america would finally get on board with this.

[@halle9165]

Daniel Tittyfish soon...

[@nikolatesla7356]

3:41 Yes it is.

[@zackfraser8924]

EVERYONE is depressed to an extent. That's why nobody cares. A lot of people don't even realize that they have it. The issue is that the entire world is the cause of the depression,and if you want to help then the only way to rid the world of depression is to fix the entire world.

[@lynchsmith2310]

+Zack Fraser or move into the jungle and live on your own terms

[@Rivetlicker]

+Lynch Smith Until some capitalist corporation decides the tear that piece of the jungle down ;)

[@lynchsmith2310]

Mario Franssen not if you find the right place, they wont :)

[@ogbee9690]

True

[@teamsleepnine]

0:38 look at his eye...

[@ottoautomaatti666]

@4:32 what is that noise? Sounds like an alien.

[@Koveve]

It was a stomach

[@VarietyMusicLover]

+Otto Liukkonen hungry stomach i think lol

[@deathclutch8681]

Someone was fucking starving in that interview LOL!

[@MattyT_86]

With regards to the mental / physical aspect, it is important to consider medication and apply it where possible as for those with more severe issues, the use of medicines can help you function enough to go and engage with therapists; psychological therapy is a two-way street - you get out of it what you put into it. As for the use of currenlty illicit substances, please please tread carefully since the materials you buy off "some guy" won't be produced to a high and stringent standard. Without analysing the material yourself understand you could be taking anything.

[@Kburger1]

Seek spirituality. I am sure your awakened through your lyrics. It’s all about finding your negative thought patterns and transforming them into the positive! I see it in your music. I went to the bottom with drug addiction and one day I spiritually awakened. It can be see clearer thought DMT and others. If your mentally stable. Seek the truth with the darkness of the world then you will see the light. Admit your problem forgive yourself you will seek the light! It’s all happening In front of you you just need to stop and notice it!

[@DarthMilotic]

What brand is that Polo shirt? It looks pretty freaking neat. Wow, never thought I'd say that lmao

[@nidalsoboh6000]

+Kevin Larsen fred perry

[@DarthMilotic]

thanks fam

[@danielpolido6064]

Jesse is rocking that polo shirt.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

Killswitch Engage gets gets better with each album. Incarnate is a great album!

[@ReneeSitra]

I think instrumentation wise disarm the decent is better than incarnate With that being said Jesse's vocal performance in incarnate is stellar he really pushed his limits So incarnate is my fravoite Jesse album from a vocal standpoint Also really catchy kind of reminds me of as daylight dies

[@TheMeJustMe75]

Adrale4gotten Good point, but I still love the new album!

[@PostBoyMD]

What is the drug Graham mentions at 4:06 ?

[@nothx962]

Marcos Kruger psilocybin aka magic mushrooms. they have been known to spiritually help people with depression. sounds like Jesse believes in earth "drugs" like pot and shrooms for people with depression...between his views on that and his mention of PMA and Bad Brains, it's clear Killswitch is meant to be led by Jesse.

[@PostBoyMD]

thanks man! agreed

[@nothx962]

No problem amigo :) happy holidays to you and yours.

[@666narutomanfan]

I prefer Howard Jones, but Jesse is great too. Saw KsE live a few weeks ago

[@David932z]

I’ve had depressed since I was 13

[@AK4tsevEn]

cool guy

[@Severindk87]

Sigh... It's a shame that such a good intended video portrays such reductionist views of depression. Yes we have to have focus on depression and be able to talk about it. But depression, anxiety etc. is NOT just "a chemical imbalance", because if it was merely about that, then anti-depressives should work just fine, but actually these products in some cases creates more negative effects than positive (if at all positive). Depression for example is a biological, neurological, psychological and very much social phenomenon and is also a product of what the individual has experienced, how he/she reacts, feels and thinks about himself and his/her context. Using anti-depressive pills IS not akin to using painkillers to a sore back. These things cannot be compared and people, society, psychiatry in general needs to understand the roots of depression, not just try to "numb" the symptoms. Therapy and social factors are much greater means for a person to understand the roots of his experiences...

[@lukerogers151]

Thank you so much for writing that. You're absolutely right. You put in words what my thoughts have been about this.

[@huntermckelvey1740]

Søren Kjeldsen yes thank you. one of the wonders of the world is when somebody else can find the perfect words to sum up a feeling you yourself are helpless to describe.

[@j800r]

The problem is nobody really understands depression. Hell, even sufferers don't always understand it. There can be different types of depression, different and multiple causes. A good GP monitors you for quite some time after prescribing anti depressants to be sure they ARE having a benefit to you. Sometimes a lifestyle change is all that's needed. Sometimes medication. Sometimes both. Sometimes someone to talk to. Sometimes nothing will really help.

[@dimagabriel4699]

I didn't interpret his words as "just a chemical imbalance." To me, what he said was intended to validate depression and anxiety as an utterly crippling condition, and not just something people make up for attention. There are many dimensions to depression and anxiety like you said: social, biological, etc. The point was that it needs to be discussed, and a chemical imbalance is an undeniable part of why some people kill themselves while others never even come close to thinking such thoughts.

[@VarietyMusicLover]

PMA is the best way to live it is true i really believe in it

[@rocknhealthylifestyles]

The You Rock Foundation does great work! Not only have they interviewed Jesse Leach, but also Corey Hart and Jim Root from Slipknot, Jonathan Davis from Korn and much more. Check out all The You Rock Foundation's interviews at www.yourockfoundation.org

[@williamdixon7603]

at 4:32 Jessies stomach rumbles lol

[@Berserker-lw6kd]

Hank Williams started the hard living and harder alcohol and drugs and the womanizing gods rest his soul

[@Machinedead]

who is this Rob Willings dude they are mentioning ????

[@WhatsGoinOnMate]

+Machinedead Robin Willams bro

[@katoffeltv917]

good

[@deanlangley4003]

Depression is a bitch I deal with it all the time

[@SonOfManMusic]

nice

[@AB-ou8ve]

Didn’t know Vincent D’Onofrio was a metalcore singer.

[@brownpunk1794]

Its errand from horizon zero dawn🤣

[@Michael-jg8pw]

I respect Jesse and I'm happy for him getting better and all, but the last thing we need is more drugs put into circulation. Next thing you know people will want to loosen the restrictions on recreational amphetamine to cure all sorts of health issues.

[@danutd94]

The fact you refer to both psilocybin and amphetamines as though they are the same thing comes across as quite strange. There's a big jump from psychedelics to hard, synthetic drugs that genuinely ruin lives. Just my thoughts haha, have a good day anyway!

[@Fuzorz]

bloodbath !!

[@Yarlearl]

unblessing the purity shirt its nize

[@entitiessoul]

This whole world is sick. I gues we should all shove pills down our throat rather than get to the root of the cause.

[@KentuckyFriedJohansson]

I met this guy with a few others on a special event in Sweden, we got to hear pretty much all of the new album before everyone else haha, but Jesse is seriously a really nice guy

[@sociallooter]

Drinking Works for me.

[@tMatt5M]

To say classic artists couldn't have made their music without drugs is absolute garbage and a huge insult. "Yeah Jimi, you're great! But you couldn't have done it without those drugs!" Absolute garbage.

[@zaoisgood]

To deny it had no direct effect on their writing and the over all vibes of their music would be ignorant.

[@tresdanator]

does Jesse have a III% tattoo?

[@johnathonmcdaniel751]

tresdanator that would be a black flag tattoo

[@thejebdude3241]

Bad Brains!

[@Star_Sn1per]

Bring back Howard!!

[@mrJanniekoen]

Jesse has the exact opposite of a bold head and a goatee.

[@1nsomniun]

All you truly need is God and Jesus Christ

[@tMatt5M]

You're 100% correct.

[@1nsomniun]

+Yunder Chellow God Bless you to.

[@Sh0rtStuff101]

+Ryan Bahr Haha, that's probably the last thing anyone wants.

[@1nsomniun]

+Ryan Mackey Its gonna be the first thing they wish they listened to lol. at some point

[@1nsomniun]

+g3773 God and do what God wants. God Bless you buddy.

[@michaelpeele4295]

It's interesting that Jesse is so against, "pushing pulls down your throat" but keeps advocating for medical marijuana and "low dose psychedelia". Then in the next breath he's taking about drug abuse and alcohol addiction? This dude has no idea what he's talking about. No idea. I'm a huge Killswitch fan and just lost all respect for this guy.

[@macktrainor4392]

your band should go away stop feeding things u copied off of fear factory onto poser metal heads brains be original