MENTAL HEALTH
In the words of Käärijä: “I don’t usually go and drop my guard, not me. But now I am that guy, now I am that guy. I head towards dance floor, Like a cha cha cha, And this world ain’t making me scared no more”
I made that week will stay with me for a lifetime - a bucket list item proudly checked off. The whole experience proving that I could face my anxieties head-on and emerge stronger. Though I embarked on the journey to Liverpool alone, I quickly realized that I was never truly alone. Liverpool had truly embraced the contest in a way I’d not ever anticipated, it was living and breathing Eurovision. For what has felt like a very niche obsession to find myself in a city embracing the contest so much felt like a dream. CONCERNS First setting foot in the arena is a moment that’ll stay with me a lifetime. I had so many concerns, would my tickets work (oh the barcode drama that morning!), how would I feel going alone, would it be too loud, crowded, stressful... but standing at the front of the arena, the heat of the pyros on my face and the acts I love performing right there, I just looked around and thought... wow. Mental health is a vital subject that demands open dialogue and empathy. The Eurovision Song Contest, with unifying spirit, has inadvertently become a platform for discussions surrounding mental well-being. My experience within the Eurovision community highlights the healing effects of finding acceptance, friendship, and shared passions within a supportive network. The Eurovision Song Contest has become a celebration of resilience, connection, and unity for many of us. My hope is that by sharing my story others feel empowered to make those steps too. The Eurovision bubble doesn’t just last until May, there are so much to get involved in throughout the year, be that on the Facebook group, local meet-ups, the annual EuroBash, and so much more. n
when walking into the crowded pub for the Friday night drinks alone. What awaited me that night was a heartwarming surprise - a welcoming and accepting crowd. As I mingled with fellow Eurovision enthusiasts, I felt an instant connection, I’d found my people. I left that weekend on an exhilarating high, having met friends I had only known online and forged new friendships that allowed me to let my guard down and be my authentic self. ANXIETY This year with the contest so close to home, it was time to pursue a long- held dream - attending the Eurovision Song Contest in person. Anxiety and the fear of the unknown had always held me back, but this time, I felt a newfound confidence. The sheer scale of the week, the scale of the planning involved, the fear that the whole thing would just become too much, it was all a bit overwhelming, but the fear of missing out was huge! From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by a network of like-minded individuals and the worries I’d had leading up to the week quickly settled. The memories
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AUTUMN 2023 l VISION
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