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The Amity Affliction drummer Ryan Burt exits tour, band shares statement on mental health

The Amity Affliction have announced that drummer Ryan Burt will be leaving the band’s current European and U.K. tour.

In a statement, the band says Burt's mental health always comes first, saying, “Ryan has recently been battling some ongoing mental demons, and as a group of friends who have had to deal with mental health issues in one way or another, all four of us knew that the best course of action was for him to take the time to go home and get some professional support.”

Read more: Amity Affliction frontman opens up about descent into depression, addiction in new interview

The band continues by sharing just how important it is to seek help regarding mental health, emphasizing most importantly that you are never alone. “If you need someone to talk to regarding mental health, please don’t hesitate to seek help from someone who is properly trained and qualified.”

Casey McHale will be filling in on drums to finish out the rest of tour. Read the statement in full below.

“We are sad to announce that Ryan will not be performing on any further shows on the This Could Be Heartbreak UK / European headline tour. 

Ryan has recently been battling some ongoing mental demons, and as a group of friends who have had to deal with mental health issues in one way or another, all four of us knew that the best course of action was for him to take the time to go home and get some professional support. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it is the right one. Our priority at this point is Ryan’s health, and that will always come first.

The shows themselves will all continue as planned, with Casey McHale filling in on drums. He’s an amazing musician and a great friend of both Ryan and the band, and we know we can rely on him to deliver the show you all deserve to see.

We ask that everyone respect Ryan’s privacy while he’s getting better.

If you need someone to talk to regarding mental health, please don’t hesitate to seek help from someone who is properly trained and qualified. “

Last month, Real Friends’ Dan Lambton bravely shared a message regarding his mental health after postponing their European and U.K. tour. “I need to be present, sharp, and focused, and at this point I feel that as great as this tour could be it would have an extreme emotional and mental toll on my well-being.”

And if you or a friend are struggling with metal health, you are not alone. Sources like Hope For A Day offer a long list of those who will listen here.

The rest of the band’s EU/UK tour dates are listed below:
Dec 06: London Roundhouse, UK
Dec 08: Glasgow O2 ABC, UK
Dec 09: Birmingham Institute, UK
Dec 10: Norwich Waterfront, UK
Dec 11: Amsterdam Melkweg, Netherlands
Dec 13: Stockholm Fryshuset, Sweden
Dec 14: Copenhagen Pumpehusey, Denmark
Dec 15: Berlin Astra, Germany
Dec 16: Munchen Backstage, Germany
Dec 17: Vienna Arena, Austria
Dec 18: Karlsruhe Knockdown Fest, Germany
Dec 19: Solothurn Kofmehl, Switzerland
Dec 20: Lyon CCO, France
Dec 21: Barcelona Razzmatazz, Spain
Dec 22: Madrid Sala Arena, Spain

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