To help him cope with depression, Dillon Gazandlare picked up a guitar. As a below-theelbow amputee, he didn’t know if he would be able to play, but he did it anyway. Six-years later, the established musician and vocalist, speaks to youth about how the guitar helped him improve his well-being.

“Music has changed my life in so many unexpected ways,” says the 22-year-old. “It has broadened my way of thinking and brought me to the understanding that nothing happens without taking those first few steps to help yourself. Music has been my stress reliever and my course to get better.”

He appreciates the benefits of a creative activity. “When kids get involved with arts and cultural activities, they explode with personality, become more imaginative and they grow smarter,” he says. “Music in particular helps with anxiety.”

In 2018, he started playing the guitar after the Rob Nash Project came to his school in Wollaston Lake. For the first time, he heard someone speak openly about struggling with suicidal ideation and depression. Nash spoke to Dillon after his performance, about how playing the guitar had helped him express frustration and find a course to heal.

“Nash said, ‘you look down’,” says Dillon. “I was a troubled teen and I was really depressed. I was being bullied. I struggled with body dysmorphia because of my disability. He asked what I loved doing and I said, ‘I love music, the guitar’. Even though he saw, I only had one hand, he said, ‘No excuses bro, you can do it’.”

After accepting Nash’s challenge he purchased a left-handed guitar, so his right hand could be on the fret board. Then, he created a makeshift prosthetic made out of Duct Tape with a pick attached. By watching YouTube solo covers, he studied how the musicians’ hands moved. The first song he set out to learn was “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Even though he had picked one of the most difficult songs to learn, he practiced for hours every day. Six months later, he could play the song. Through the process, he also discovered his depression had eased and he had a place to express his frustrations.

“Two years later, the Rob Nash Project posted a video of me on their website shredding “Enter Sandman” by Metallica on the guitar in front of 600 people. They asked me to become a part of their project, playing with their band and talking about my mental health journey. From there, opportunities just kept on coming.”

In September, he was nominated in four categories at the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards: Emerging Artist of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, Rock/Heavy Metal/
Blues Artist or Group of the Year and Fan’s Choice. As well, he was asked to perform at the event.

Besides improving his mental health, Dillon says music gave him a community and many opportunities. “I am constantly traveling and was in the Arctic Circle in February. I have gained many skills, such as perseverance and discipline. I’ve also met some amazing, very talented artists and vocalists. I am so grateful.”

He hopes other kids get this chance. He says, “That is why I became involved with Creative Kids and the Indigenous Voices of Saskatchewan concert this past May. I think music helped drive my life in the right way and I want others to have that too.”