Former I Prevail Vocalist Brian Burkheiser Says He Entered Psych Ward After Band Exit

Former I Prevail vocalist Brian Burkheiser has opened up about the mental health crisis that followed his 2025 departure from the band, revealing he entered an inpatient psych ward after what he described as a breaking point.

Speaking in his first interview since leaving I Prevail, Burkheiser told Rock Feed that he wanted to repair tensions within the band before the split was finalised.

“It’s just not what they wanted,” he said.

When I Prevail announced the split last May (2025), it was framed as mutual. “Today we share that we are parting ways with Brian Burkheiser. This was a difficult decision, but we believe it is the right one and we are all grateful for the 10 epic years we shared together. We wish Brian nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.”

Burkheiser says the reality felt different.

“What hurt was it was really framed as my decision, which… sometimes you get backed into a corner and you get presented things. I had a kid on the way. I have a wife. I had my family.”

A Breaking Point In Beverly Hills

After the split, Burkheiser attempted to reset creatively, booking a writing trip to a Beverly Hills mansion, instead he spiralled into what he described as a manic episode, staying awake for long stretches and posting continuously to Instagram.

“I saw people viewing my Instagram stories who had not reached out (after exiting I Prevail),” he said. “And I think in a lot of ways it started to turn into a plea of like ‘talk to me. Where are you people?’”

Concerned, his father and brother intervened, although Burkheiser resisted at first, he was ultimately admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility for seven days.

“I would pick up the telephone and call (my wife) and I’d be so angry at times. Like ‘get me out of here. I’m scared, and I don’t know what to do.’ And she’d just have to say you got to fight through it.”

Moving forward

Burkheiser said the experience shifted his priorities. “I was there for about a week and seeing the sunshine for the first time in seven days, it really gave you an appreciation of… like I got to start focusing more on the right things.”

He has since launched a solo project under the name Scatterbrain, releasing the track ‘Phases’ last week after resolving legal issues that had temporarily stalled new music.

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