Korn’s Brian ‘Head’ Welch on his mental health partnership: 'It’s been really cool to give back'

At the beginning of the year, Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch announced that he would be working in cooperation with Atlantic Behavioral Health, a new treatment center serving Massachusetts and New Hampshire with a focus on destigmatizing mental health disorders.

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As Brian gets set to celebrate 30 years of performing and recording with Korn , the guitarist recently discussed his new partnership with Atlantic Behavioral Health -- which offers medication management, individual, and group therapy as part of their outpatient program -- telling Billboard , “As I get older, I start to reflect on my life and what I’ve been given, and also my responsibilities.”

Welch has never shied away from being open about his past struggles with addiction and mental health which led to his departure from Korn in 2005. Now back in the fold since 2012, he admits that sense of responsibility has stuck with him over the years. “People look to us, they hear what we’re sharing. It’s been really cool to give back, and to see other people doing so as well," he says.

Brian says of his past with substance abuse, "I started experimenting with alcohol and drugs at 14, just massive drinking through my teenage years, a functioning alcoholic. And I joined a band, and then we got signed, and the drugs and alcohol just went on for a decade. I left the band and got my life together, and I’ve just been trying to help people that were like me back then."

Once back in the band, a chance meeting and subsequent friendship developed with "this kid Justin," he says, "a massive heroin addict, crack addict, everything," who Welch tried to help when, "honestly, it wasn’t looking good." After finally picking up all of the pieces, he and Justin went on to open sober living homes in the Boston and New Hampshire areas. "We did that for a while, and he’s been able to help so many people," Brian says proudly. "Then we met some more people in the industry. We found that a lot of the addicts, when they get sober, they don’t know who they are, they don’t know how to feel," he reveals. "That’s why a lot of people relapse, because they’re not comfortable in their own skin. And so that’s where the mental health aspect comes into it." Read the full interview HERE .

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here .