Voices from the Edge: The Radical Truths of Hank Van Vice — On the Mental Health Crisis As a Symptom of a Sick Society

Interviewer: Ellie "Echo" Matthews, Mental Health Matters

Ellie: Hank, we’re seeing a rise in mental health issues across the globe—depression, anxiety, burnout. What’s your take on why this is happening? Do you think it’s a reflection of something deeper in society?

Hank Van Vice: [Sighing deeply, a mix of sadness and anger in his voice] Absolutely, Ellie. The mental health crisis isn’t just about brain chemistry or genetics—it’s a symptom of a society that’s fundamentally sick. We’re living in a world that’s constantly pushing us to the brink—more work, more stress, more pressure, more noise. They’ve created a system that’s designed to break us, to keep us running on empty, chasing goals that don’t even make us happy.

Think about it—everywhere you turn, you’re being told you’re not enough. Not rich enough, not successful enough, not pretty enough, not productive enough. And it’s all bullshit, man. They’ve set up this unattainable standard, and then they profit off our insecurities, our fears, our pain. It’s no wonder people are struggling. We’re being crushed under the weight of it all.

Ellie: How do you think societal values like consumerism and competition contribute to this crisis?

Hank Van Vice: They’re at the heart of it. We’ve been conditioned to believe that our worth is tied to what we own, to how much we produce, to how we measure up against others. But that’s a recipe for misery. You can’t buy happiness, you can’t measure your worth in dollars, and you sure as hell can’t find peace in a system that’s designed to keep you on edge.

Consumerism tells us that we’re incomplete, that we need more, more, more to be whole. But it’s a lie, man. The more you chase that, the emptier you feel. And competition? It pits us against each other, makes us see our fellow human beings as threats, as obstacles, instead of allies, instead of brothers and sisters. It’s isolating, it’s dehumanizing, and it’s killing us, one by one.

Ellie: How does QEA’s music address mental health and these broader societal issues?

Hank Van Vice: We’re trying to cut through the noise, to speak to the pain, the loneliness, the fear that so many people are feeling. Our music is a way to say, “You’re not alone in this. We see you, we feel what you’re going through, and we’re here with you.” It’s about creating a space where people can feel understood, where they can find some kind of release, some kind of connection.

But we’re also challenging the system that’s causing this pain. We’re calling out the bullshit, the lies, the toxic values that are making people sick. And we’re offering an alternative—a vision of a world where people are valued for who they are, not for what they produce; where connection, creativity, and compassion are the cornerstones of society, not money, power, and status.

Ellie: What advice would you give to someone struggling with their mental health in today’s world?

Hank Van Vice: First off, know that it’s okay to not be okay. You’re not weak, you’re not broken—you’re human. And in a world like this, it’s normal to struggle. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out, talk to someone, find your tribe, your community. And don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it—there’s no shame in taking care of your mental health.

But also, take a step back from the bullshit. Disconnect from the things that are feeding your anxiety, your depression. Turn off the news, step away from social media, stop chasing the things that aren’t bringing you joy. Find what makes you feel alive, what brings you peace, and hold onto that. And remember, you’re not alone in this fight. We’re all in it together, and we’re stronger together.