Citizen Soldier’s authenticity is rooted in the life of frontman .
The song's lyrics focus on the internal conflict of suffering in silence to avoid being a "burden" to others.
"I'm Not Okay" by Citizen Soldier is more than just a hard rock track; it is a raw exploration of the "invisible abuse" caused by mental illness. Released in 2020, the song serves as a focal point for the band's mission to combat mental health stigma through what they call a "group therapy dynamic".
The song has become an anthem within the "mental health rock" community.
The lyrics describe building "walls so high" and wearing a "mask" to hide the "monsters" in the head. This facade creates further isolation, as being authentic has previously led to feeling more alone.
Segura founded the band in 2016 while he was in a psychiatric hospital, where he wrote the lyrics for one of their first songs, "Let It Burn," on a napkin.
The name "Citizen Soldier" symbolizes the "citizen" (the everyday person) who is also a "soldier" fighting invisible battles daily. 3. Reception and Cultural Impact
As of late 2020, "I'm Not Okay" is one of the band's most popular tracks, with over 35 million streams on platforms like Spotify .
