Depression Will Not Control Me, Or My Passions

Picture caption: Kaylie McKee, a 21 year old Ball State student, shows the ultimate level of passion for music by attending Metallica with her friend in the pouring rain.

Kaylie McKee, a Ball State University senior, sit in her room memorizing strings and cords to play while a million other things race through her mind. McKee is a journalism graphics major at Ball State and has always had a passion for heavy metal music since before her very first concert. From seeing bands like Metallica and Def Leopard, she has had an endless stream of inspiration provided to her not only in the music world, but the design world as well. She uses her love of grunge rock and heavy metal within a lot of her designs. But most of all, she loves to highlight her experiences at some of her favorite concerts on her social media accounts.

McKee got into playing the guitar for reasons that many may not think of. Unlike most people who get into playing music for passion reasons, McKee started playing music as an outlet. “When I was growing up, I suffered from a lot of anxiety and depression. I still do, but when I was that young, I didn’t’ know how to channel it” McKee explains.

McKee entered the music world with a passion for music, but also a purpose. Her purpose was to find a way to save her passion for music and also to save herself. “I was going through a really hard time with college the past year, and my passion for music really pulled me out of it,” says McKee.

McKee expresses the fact that she doesn’t really express a passion for going professional with her music career, but does state that she still uses her passion for music to help her better her mental health. “I don’t play as much as I used to, but I still use going to concerts and listening to music as an outlet. And I think everyone else should too,” McKee advises. She believes that people suffering with mental illness should definitely find an outlet to help them, whether that is music or another form.