Finding strength through Music Minds Matter: Alex’s story of recovery and resilience

Alex’s musical journey has always been rooted in preserving their Uruguayan identity as part of the diaspora community in the UK. Music became a way to sustain stories and belonging, a connection that deepened when they returned to Uruguay as an adult.

Discovering artists like Anne Briggs and Sam Lee inspired their own foray into songwriting, blending folk with themes of environmental activism, as well as feminist and Queer movements. For Alex, music evolved into a deeply personal and political tool – reflecting identity, heritage, and contemporary struggle, while weaving communities together. Alongside launching a touring band and performing at festivals, they founded the NGO Sibling Arts to mentor marginalised artists, using music for education, activism, and healing.

Then disaster struck: first a serious knee injury, then another a year later. Their career and ability to perform were suddenly on hold. Financial strain and uncertainty followed, and Alex hit rock bottom. Amid this overwhelming period of recovery and professional upheaval, they turned to Music Minds Matter.

Through our services, Alex accessed therapy during one of the darkest periods of their life. Working with a therapist who was both Queer and experienced in the music industry created an immediate sense of understanding and relatability. That support became a lifeline. 

The therapist offered a consistent space for catharsis, ​“to just express the levels of frustration that build up in your body when you can’t move… when you lose your career.” Amid the chaos of ​“debt and all the shame that comes out of those moments,” they remained a steady presence, helping Alex stay anchored and navigate both emotional and practical challenges. ​“I’m very grateful to them, they were very effective at keeping me on track.”

This experience didn’t just help Alex cope – it reshaped their approach to life and music. The process of rebuilding physically and creatively has been deeply healing, reigniting their determination to pursue music and giving them clarity about sustaining a freelance career. That clarity, they say, came ​“from the kind of questions that you ask yourself when you really hit a rut.”