Photo: byrslf.co
Photo: byrslf.co

You know when everything seems to be going wrong, and then you put that song on? You know the one. It’s that song that always has you feeling better in no time. It’s the one that helps you see the silver lining in the clouds.

The fact that music touches our deepest emotions is news to no one. By extension, anything having to do with music also has that power. DJing is one of those music-related activities that can have a powerful effect on our lives and well-being.

If you’re a DJ, you already know this. You put up with the unpredictable crowds, the cranky clients, the (seemingly) uncaring club and event managers. You deal with all of it so that you can work with the music you love.

For some, that opportunity can be a real life saver. In an article he wrote for Be Yourself, Joey Santos (a regular columnist over at Digital DJ Tips) reveals his difficult struggles with depression and suicide. Adolescence is really tough for most of us. It can be so tough that those years between 12 and 25 are the riskiest when it comes to experiencing mental health issues.

Those teen years are also when we start branching out and experimenting with activities that catch our interest. For Santos, DJing was that activity. It lit a fire deep within him, helped him get through adolescence without further attempts on his own life, and gave him a reason for being.

Read his story here. How has DJing saved your life?