Ryan Adams says he’s ‘in trouble’ as he shares mental health helplines with fans

A friend of Ryan Adams has shared a concerning post from the musician’s official Instagram account, suggesting he is struggling with severe depression.

In recent weeks, the disgraced musician has shared a number of pleas for help as he claims he is on the verge of becoming homeless.

The 46-year-old has been largely ostracised from the music industry after he was accused by multiple women of abuse in 2019, including his ex-wife and fellow musician Mandy Moore, and singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers.

On Instagram, he has begged record labels for “a second chance” and said he was “scared” he will lose his home, studio and indie label soon.

“I know I’m damaged goods,” he wrote earlier this week. “I know I am and they aren’t the ideal thing, but I had a label interested for months and they wasted my time. I’m months from losing my label, studio and my home. I just really want a second chance to make some music — maybe help other people believe you can get up out of the gutter and be something. I’m 46 and scared I’m gonna be living in my sister’s basement.

“If you are a label and interested please let me know. Sent with love and humility. I already got dropped by Capitol twice. Maybe someone still cares.”

Today (29 July), a friend of Adams, Ken, shared a post along with links to mental health helplines and said he was worried Adams was “losing it”.

“Depression is a mental illness,” Adams wrote in the post. “Actual motion sickness is a mental illness. Everyone like Variety is ready to attack human beings. Where does that get us?

“Being able to play guitar doesn’t mean you do not suffer from mental illness or depression. It also does not exclude you from your actions.”

Bridgers’ song “Motion Sickness”, released in 2017, is widely believed to be about her relationship with Adams.

In the post, Adams said he had survived two suicide attempts “since the article came out”. It is unclear which Variety article Adams is referring to – the original report on the allegations against him was published in the New York Times.

“I’m in trouble,” Adams continued in the post. “If anyone has ever felt this way, use a lifeline. They’ve saved my life.”

The caption by his friend linked to two helplines: SAMHSA Treatment hotline on 977-726-4727 and the National Suicide Lifeline on 800-273-Talk.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.