Steven Page, former frontman of The Barenaked Ladies, shared his struggles with bi-polar disorder and depression to launch two new mental health tools at Algonquin College Tuesday.

“In 2007 when I was arrested for drug possession, it was a scandal,” Page said. “It was painful to pick up a national newspaper and see my mug shot. I hadn’t taken care of my inner struggles.”

Page spoke at the launch of Starting the Conversation and iCopeU, two tools the college has created to help students and staff cope with mental health issues.

“When you’re in a school like this that has a lot of services, take advantage of it,” Page urged. “Get in the habit of keeping mentally fit.”

iCopeU uses interactive games to teach students how to identify the signs of a panic attack and to reach out to friends they think may be struggling or suicidal. Starting the Conversation is an online tool for staff at the college to help identify students who may be suffering and begin a dialogue.

Page related the story of taping the music video for the Barenaked Ladies’ song “Jane” in the mid-90s. “I was 12 hours late for the shoot,” he said. “I couldn’t get out of bed. A friend got me dressed and to where I needed to be. I went to a doctor and he said I might be bipolar.”

Being an artists makes it easier for him to talk about his struggles, Page said. “People in the business world can’t come out and talk about it. As an artist, I can get away with it. People expect it.”

Having good friends is a key to coping with everything from anxiety to ADHD and schizophrenia, he offered.

“The drug possession charge affected my family, my kids, my bandmates. There were TV network trucks outside my house. I hid in the basement for days,” Page said. “My friends came over with a bucket of KFC, sparkling water and we played Halo. Those friends who are just there for you like that are important.”

Following his talk, Page played the Barenaked Ladies track “Brian Wilson” which talks about his struggle with depression.