Shawn Mendes is currently on a world tour in support of his album, Wonder. The tour began in mid-March and was supposed to run through the end of October. On Friday, Shawn posted a note on Instagram letting fans know that he would be postponing three weeks of shows to focus on his mental health. Shawn has spoken about his mental health openly before and he’s doing so again. The pressure and toll of being on the road was getting to him and he reached his breaking point, prompting him to speak to someone and take a break from touring.
Shawn Mendes is taking a break from the road in order to take care of his mental health.
On Friday, the “Treat You Better” singer posted a note on Instagram, saying that he would be postponing shows on his Wonder world tour.
“This breaks my heart to have to say this, but unfortunately I’m going to have to postpone the next three weeks of shows through Uncasville, CT until further notice,” the 23 year old shared. “I’ve been touring since I was 15 and to be honest it’s always been difficult to be on the road away from friends and family. After a few years off the road, I felt like I was ready to dive back in, but that decision was premature and unfortunately the toll of the road and the pressure has caught up to me and I’ve hit a breaking point.”
He added that the decision came after speaking to professionals about his health.
“I need to take some time to heal and take care of myself and my mental health, first and foremost,” he wrote. “As soon as there are more updates I promise I will let you know love you guys.”
Mendes recently opened up with his followers on social media about his mental health struggles. In April, he shared a lengthy note on Twitter about feeling like he’s either “flying or drowning” at any given moment, and questioned whether that’s just how it feels to be in one’s 20s.
“The truth is even with so much success, I still find it hard to feel like I’m not failing, hyper-focused on what I don’t have, forgetting to see all that I do,” he continued. “The truth is I’m overwhelmed and overstimulated LOL. The truth is ALSO that I’m okay.”
Mendes has spoken about dealing with mental health challenges before. In 2018, he told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe his song “In My Blood” was about learning to cope with anxiety.
Of course this is disappointing for the fans on those postponed tour dates, but postponed is better than canceled, although it’s unclear at this point when those dates will be rescheduled. And it’s definitely better for Shawn to step back and figure things out now, before he starts feeling worse. The ages cited in the article — that he’s been touring since he was 15 and he’s only 23 now — surprised me. I didn’t realize he was still so young and definitely thought he was at least 25, probably because of his past girlfriends and other peers. Being away from friends and family must be hard and a tour schedule seems incredibly grueling. And Shawn is probably not used to it anymore after things being paused/slowed due to covid. It’s like going back to the office five days a week after being remote for two years — it’s hard to run around and commute and be away from your stuff (and your pet) and change up your routine. But touring is like that times 1,000 because they’re in a different place daily and away for far longer. Hopefully Shawn can find a touring scenario that works for him because it seems like the traditional world tour model isn’t it.
Photos credit: Avalon.red and via Instagram
So fantastic he talks openly and honestly about his mental health struggles. He is helping to destigmatize and normalize it.
What a tough life. No sarcasm. I wouldn’t be cut out for it. Glad he’s prioritising himself.
Same.
I have a close friend who is at breaking point due to her own mental health issues and these being exacerbated by a truly awful work environment and toxic home situation. She has been signed off for two weeks (with as much more as she wants) and she’s been in meltdown all weekend about actually giving the sick note to her work. She did it this morning and is currently reporting feeling even more anxious.
We need to hear these stories and normalise these conversations. I hope he is getting the support he needs and picks things up again at a pace that works for him.
This also makes me wonder if touring as a band is any easier.. especially for bands who started as friends etc. At least you have your people around you? (Before maybe you start hating them immensely from being cooped up together with them all the time)
I’m wondering if the drug & sex part of rock ‘n roll has been some artists’ coping mechanisms? Some of that is surely due to good ol’ toxic masculinity, but rolling from town to town for months must be hard.
A world tour sounds exhausting. Justin Beiber has also talked about how hard touring is. I think artists need a lot more time off in between clusters of shows.
A lot of artists are having issues with touring after going years not doing it. Miley Cyrus also reported having anxiety about singing to big crowds recently and of course, Bieber has postponed many of his tour dates (I believe he will not be able to finish his tour again.) Only Dua Lipa seems really happy to be on the road. I assume The Weeknd will be fine as well because his schedule is very reasonable
I couldn’t be a celebrity. I would not be able to deal with the lack or privacy. I have severe anxiety and don’t like being the center of attention…. my boss at work always makes big gestures for people’s birthdays, etc… I quietly asked her to not do that for me and she respected that. Just put some chocolate on my desk chair.
I feel for him, I completely understand, and I hope he can find some much earned rest, relaxation, and mental health help. ❤️