Noah Kahan’s ‘Out of Body’ and the power of radical candour
The Noah Kahan documentary Out of Body positions the singer-songwriter as more than a breakout star; it frames him as a reluctant but determined mental health narrator. Shot largely in and around his hometown of Strafford, Vermont, the Netflix film weaves childhood footage, quiet house tours and gym sessions with frank conversations about body dysmorphia, depression and fame. Viewers see the contrast between sold-out venues like Fenway Park and the isolation of the “uninteresting and cold” town that shaped him, reinforcing recurring themes of wanting to escape yet feeling magnetically pulled home. Director Nick Sweeney leans into Kahan’s willingness to declare that nothing is off-limits, capturing therapy-like conversations with family and his struggle with writers’ block after leaving Vermont for Nashville. Kahan has said that if even one person watches and confronts something within themselves, the discomfort of this transparency is worth it, underscoring how artists sharing anxiety can open space for music mental health awareness.
Dan + Shay’s ‘Say So’ turns a country single into a suicide prevention message
Where Kahan uses a documentary, Dan + Shay channel a similar mission through their single Say So, a track explicitly crafted to spark conversations about crisis and support. Written by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jimmy Robbins and David Hodges, the song is inspired by a friend lost to suicide and centres on the plea, “If you need somebody, say so.” At country radio, it quickly became the most added song of the week, backed by a broad multi-platform campaign and a poignant video directed by Smyers. Visual banners echoing the lyric appeared around Nashville, reinforcing its core message that “If you’re going through hell, you’re not alone.” The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has praised the single for encouraging listeners in distress to reach out and for modelling how to speak openly about suicide and mental health, highlighting how Dan and Shay mental health storytelling can carry potentially lifesaving messages.
Why fans seek help when artists share their anxiety and therapy journeys
Part of the impact of both Out of Body and Say So lies in the specificity of the stories they tell. Kahan doesn’t just allude to vague sadness; he talks about not recognising his own body, the strain of rapid success and the writers’ block that came with leaving Vermont. Dan + Shay don’t hide behind metaphor; they name suicide, loss and the need to speak up. For many listeners, that level of detail mirrors their own experiences with panic, body image or grief more accurately than polished pop narratives ever did. Hearing high-profile artists sharing anxiety, therapy and long-term struggles can chip away at stigma, signalling that seeking help is normal rather than shameful. Fans who might ignore generic “stay strong” messages instead recognise themselves in these stories, making them more likely to open up to friends, family or professionals and to see music as a bridge to support rather than an escape from reality.
The promise and limits of looking to musicians for mental health guidance
As music mental health awareness grows, it is tempting to treat artists as de facto counsellors, but both Kahan’s documentary and Dan + Shay’s single underline a more nuanced role. Their work demonstrates how personal testimony can reduce isolation, normalise therapy or medication and nudge fans toward honest conversations. Yet they also highlight the limits of relying on celebrity narratives alone. A song like Say So can encourage someone to call or text a crisis line, but it cannot provide sustained, individualised care. Likewise, seeing Kahan work through depression or body dysmorphia may inspire self-reflection, but viewers still need evidence-based support from professionals, community resources or trusted adults. The healthiest takeaway is to treat artists’ stories as catalysts rather than cures: they legitimise emotional struggle and model vulnerability while reinforcing that serious anxiety, self-harm or suicidal thoughts require more than a playlist—they require real-world, expert help.
Turning songs and documentaries into real conversations at home
For parents, partners and friends, releases like Out of Body and Say So offer practical entry points into otherwise difficult topics. Watching the Noah Kahan documentary together can open a discussion about body image, small-town loneliness or what therapy might look like in real life. Listening to Dan + Shay’s chorus—“If you need somebody, say so”—with a teenager or colleague can naturally lead to asking, “Who would you call if you felt that way?” or “Have you ever felt like that line describes you?” Using specific lyrics, scenes or visuals as prompts can make abstract questions less intimidating. As more pop and country songs foreground anxiety, depression and suicide prevention, fans can intentionally weave them into group chats, classroom discussions or support groups. The key is to move from passive streaming to active conversation, using familiar music as a shared language to help fans seeking help feel seen, heard and less alone.