Brian Wilson: Bringing awareness to mental health

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Brian WilsonAmerican musician, singer, songwriter and record producer, Brian Wilson, talks about his struggles with addiction and mental health issues.

Brian Wilson is a legendary American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer.

He’s best known for being the mastermind behind the 1960’s rock and roll band “The Beach Boys.”

While he continues to tour, Wilson’s other passion is shattering taboos about mental illness. Now in his 70’s, Wilson’s story of struggling with childhood trauma, drug abuse and mental illness is almost as famous as the music he created. He’s now part of a nationwide campaign to bring awareness to mental health issues faced by millions of Americans.

Wilson’s advice to anyone listening to his message is simple.

“Stay away from drugs would be the one advice that I would give people,” he said.

Brian Wilson: Bringing awareness to mental health

American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer, Brian Wilson, talks about his struggles with addiction and mental health issues.

Brian Wilson spoke with Mike Walter about his struggles with addiction and mental health and about the 2014 biographical film, based on his life, called Love and Mercy. Mike also spoke with the film’s screenwriter, Oren Moverman, about the challenge of telling the story of a legend who has lived a long and complicated life.

“I listened to this little piece that Brian did talking about Love and Mercy, the song and how these are two profound emotions, and one may be even stronger than the other,” Moverman said. “That was the guiding principle for this movie. It was going to be about love, it was going to be about how love saves the day.”