A comprehensive look at local, statewide and national news events is provided by the NewsChannel 13 Team, along with updates on sports and the weather forecast.
Rising pop artist Josiah Gomula, known professionally as Lil Josiey, is making waves in the Capital Region music scene and using his growing platform to address an issue close to his heart: mental health awareness.
Lil Josiey recently won “Favorite Pop Artist” at the Listen Up Music Awards in Cohoes. His music career began at 18, when his debut track “Sunset Shardi” went viral on SoundCloud, racking up more than three million streams.
His latest album, “Catharsis,” was inspired by personal experiences and the people around him, aiming to break the stigma around mental health struggles, particularly among young men.
“I connected a lot of people, because recently, I’ve been doing a lot of stuff for mental health and mental health awareness,” Lil Josiey said. “That’s what I really, really want to do the music for — to connect with people and to make sure that we all know at the end of the day we’re not alone.”
Data shows that while mental health challenges are rising for young people overall, boys and young men often display different signs of struggle, such as disruptive behavior or substance use. A Pew Research Center survey found nearly two-thirds of teens say boys are more disruptive in class compared to just 4 percent who say the same about girls. However, rates of physical fighting and drug use among boys have declined.
Lil Josiey also highlights organizations like Access Supports for Living, which provide resources for those seeking help. “It’s okay to be hurt, it’s okay to be sad, and it’s okay to open yourself up,” he said. “If you’re beating yourself up every day, it’s not worth it — because you are loved by people.”