Shawn Mendes Talks Past Mental Health Struggles Ahead of New Album Release

Shawn Mendes attends the world premiere of Columbia Pictures "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" in New York on Oct. 2, 2022. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

Two years after stepping away from the spotlight at the height of his music career to focus on his mental health, singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes is now gearing up to release a new album this fall.

Mendes, 25, took to Instagram on July 31 to offer a sneak peek of his fifth studio album, “Shawn,” out Oct. 18.

In the announcement, the singer unveiled plans to launch two new singles, “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough,” on his birthday, Aug. 8. He also reflected on his past mental health struggles, touching on the positive effects that music can have on one’s overall well-being.

“Music really can be medicine,” Mendes wrote alongside an album trailer, which features the Canadian singer performing the latter track.

“2 years ago I felt like I had absolutely no idea who I was. A year ago I couldn’t step into a studio without falling into complete panic. So to be here right now with 12 beautiful finished songs feels like such a gift,” he penned.

“Honestly thank god for my friends and family. Life can be brutal but having a small group of people you deeply trust to walk you through makes it so much better. I have no idea how I would have made it through the last couple years let alone make an album without you,” Mendes continued.

“And to you guys who have been so unbelievably supportive and patient and loving thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really hope you love this album, I do. I really really do. I hope it makes you feel warm and close to the earth like it does for me.”

Mendes previously described some of the joy he felt while making his forthcoming self-titled album, writing in an Instagram post, shared on July 25, that he had “the most beautiful feelings” about the entire experience.

“I wish i could show you every moment of making this album because it truly was so healing, but i’m glad you’re even getting a glimpse. This was to me some of the most memorable and enjoyable moments making music in my life,” he wrote. “I definitely learned so much about not taking myself too seriously in the studio those days & how that could actually often times lead me to exactly what i was searching for.”

Canceled World Tour

Mendes, who grew up in Pickering, a city located in southern Ontario, Canada, rose to fame in 2013 by sharing cover songs he recorded of various artists onto video-sharing apps, including the now-defunct Vine. The following year, he signed a record deal with Island Records, releasing his debut album, “Handwritten,” in April 2015.

Mendes debuted his sophomore album, “Illuminate,” in 2016, which featured the hit track “There’s Nothing Holdin‘ Me Back,” releasing his third album, “Shawn Mendes,” in 2018, featuring “Señorita” and “Fallin’ All in You,” among other songs.

“Shawn” is the first album that the Grammy-nominated singer has released in almost four years, following the debut of his fourth studio album, “Wonder,” in December 2020.

In June 2022, Mendes kicked off the North American leg of his “Wonder” world tour in Portland, Oregon. The tour was originally scheduled to conclude in October of that year, with Mendes slated to perform 64 shows across North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, per a press release.

However, Mendes postponed several weeks of performance the following month, and on July 27, the singer announced that he had decided to cancel all of the remaining dates of his tour to focus on his health.

“I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away,” Mendes wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“After speaking more with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger,” he continued.

In the post, Mendes outlined his intention to make his health his top priority.

“I know you all have been waiting so long to see these shows, and it breaks my heart to tell you this but I promise I will be back as soon as I’ve taken the right time to heal,” he wrote.

‘Can’t Wait to See You’

Mendes is set to make his return to the stage with a limited run of shows, entitled “For Friends and Family Only,” which kick off on Aug. 8 in Woodstock, New York, per his website.

Subsequent shows include performances in Nashville, Tennessee; Brooklyn, New York; London; Rio de Janeiro; Los Angeles; Seattle; and Mexico City.

“Wanted the first shows back to be special & to play this album live for you in the places we recorded it,” he shared via Instagram on Aug. 1.

“I’ve never played an album top to bottom before but it’s already one of my favourite shows i’ve ever rehearsed. I love you guys, the band and I can’t wait to see you.”