Slipknot's Corey Taylor says fans help him talk about depression: 'The response was quite extraordinary'

Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor says he has his legion of fans to thank as he continues to manage his mental health struggles during his recent break from the road.

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While in Australia for last year's Good Things fest just before canceling his 2024 North American tour to focus on his mental health , Slipknot and solo singer Corey Taylor spoke with The Void With Christina about how his fans have gravitated to his openness in discussing the topic.

"It's interesting. I never realized, because you know me, I've always been very outspoken about everything, and I never realized that it was such a stigma, to be honest. It was a line that you really didn't cross or you didn't admit to, especially somebody in my profession or whatever, or people kind of used it as a buzzword. They never really talked about it eloquently or very openly”.

“When I first started opening it up about it, the response was quite extraordinary,” he adds. “People just were, like, 'You gave me the courage to open up about it on my own and really talk to the people who I care about about what was affecting me.' And that, in a weird way, helped me with the communication with my loved ones, because I felt like I was being very open about it in the press and whatnot, but then I wasn't able to really kind of expound about it with the people who it was actually affecting. And the second that I really put my money where my mouth is, it became such a game changer for me. In a weird way, it was the fans who helped me really open up even more about it. It was almost this cyclic kind of vibe that I didn't expect."

The physical struggle that comes with living with and managing depression is something that he's found difficult to express to anyone who has never experienced it before. Acknowledging there are "people who have had bouts of depression," those who don't suffer the "physical, manic depression" feel less empathy. "It's really difficult to try and get them to see why it's so difficult to just get through life. It's almost like replacing your body with a mannequin's body and just having to be very plastic, and everything's so deliberate and everything's so heavy... I think that's the biggest thing that really is the hardest, to really get people to understand and to empathize."

"Luckily, I'm now in a relationship that gets it, I'm surrounded by people who get it, and I think that's a real key," Taylor revealed. "You don't have to necessarily understand it sometimes, but to empathize and go, 'Okay, how can I help? How can I make this easier?' I've seen it with that. I've seen it with a lot of the families who I work with who deal with PTSD and whatnot. It's getting that communication to hit. I don't need you to save me. I just need you to be there if I start to fall backwards and just give me a little push. That's all I need, man. And sometimes knowing that will help you get through those bouts."

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 .