College can feel like a balancing act between classes, jobs, family responsibility and the pressure to plan out for the future. Many students quietly carry their emotional struggles that others may not see.
El Paso singer-songwriter Julián Kalel knows that feeling.
Through his music and honesty about mental health, Kalel is beginning to tell a story that resonates with many young people pursuing big dreams while struggling internally.
Music has always been a part of his life. Encouraged by his mother’s love for creative expression and supported by his father’s belief in him, he began singing and playing instruments at a young age. His parent’s support became one of his most important sources of strength, especially when his mental health made the world feel isolating.
Kalel said discussing those struggles was difficult.
“When I was diagnosed with depression, I felt alienated,” Kalel said. “I saw sharing my feelings as a weakness.”
Like many adolescents and young adults, he kept much of what he was feeling to himself.
“High school isn’t always an open place for conversations like that,” Kalel said.
That silence continued until the summer of 2023.
Kalel was involved in a serious car accident and while no one was injured in the crash, he said his perspective changed when he realized how close he was to losing everything.
Following the accident, he began using songwriting to process his feelings.
On Aug. 23, 2024, Kalel released his first song, “Surrender.” Writing the song became the first time he allowed himself to fully confront the emotions he had been carrying.
Kalel later auditioned for the television competition American Idol for the first time, performing “Surrender.” However, during this process he realized he needed to step back and focus on his mental health.
It was a difficult decision for Kalel but it gave him time to reflect and reconnect with himself.
During this period of reflection, Kalel wrote another deeply personal song.
On Sept. 1, 2025, he released “Lone Guitar,” which addresses themes of loneliness, depression and realizations that pain does not exist in isolation. The song also reflects how mental health challenges affect not only the person experiencing them, but also the people who love them.
“Lone Guitar came from a period in my life where I was at crossroads between, you know, is it worth it to keep going? Is it worth it to keep carrying this all on my own?” Kalel said. “Or is it time to think about how this pain can extend through other people that love me?”
Thinking about his parents and the people who cared about him helped him see that his life matters far beyond the struggle he was experiencing.
“And that was the whole message with this song. Is that whatever your going through, whatever your experiencing, once you leave you can’t make that decision.” Kalel said. “You might not feel that pain anymore, but all of it will transfer to the people that love you and need you, and I thought about that, I spent a long time thinking about that.”
On Feb. 2, Kalel auditioned again for American Idol, performing “Lone Guitar.” He advanced to Hollywood Week, marking a powerful moment of resilience.
Beyond the music, Kalel used his platform to support his community. In the winter of 2023, he performed at a benefit concert in El Paso supporting migrant families, contributing to efforts that provide food, clothing and gifts during the holiday season.
“It filled our hearts with so much warmth to be able to give out presents to the little kids to be able to provide them with clothes and basic necessities and food and celebrating getting to sing for everyone and getting to hear people’s stories,” Kalel said.
The experience reminded him that music does more than entertain; it connects people and creates space where vulnerability is accepted.
“The benefit concert for the migrants of El Paso was really important for me. My parents and I talked about how we wanted to give back,” Kalel said. “I mean I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for migrants. I am very connected to my Mexican culture and I have so much love for that, that part of me.”
Kalel shares his story to encourage others to seek help and speak openly about mental health.
“You’d be surprised what staying one more day can do,” Kalel said.
Kalel’s message carries a simple but powerful reminder for students navigating emotional pressures: vulnerability isn’t a weakness and sometimes the bravest decision someone can make is simply choosing to stay.
Through his music, Julián Kalel has become a guiding light for those struggling in silence, providing that healing is possible.
Kayley Murphy is a guest contributor and may be reached at [email protected].
