Dinah Jane Says 'Music Is My Saving Grace' After Taking Hiatus to Focus on Mental Health (Exclusive)

The former Fifth Harmony member opens up to PEOPLE about returning to music after feeling like she "didn't want nothing to do with it"

Dinah Jane had to figure out if returning to music was worth it.

After stepping away from pop stardom for a couple years due to mental health struggles, the former Fifth Harmony member is back with new music and remembering why she entered the industry in the first place.

"Music is my saving grace," Jane, 26, told PEOPLE at Colton Underwood's Pickle! for Purpose Celebrity Pickleball Tournament in Malibu, California on Saturday. "Just when I thought I didn't want any of it, I didn't want nothing to do with it, I knew deep down in my heart — it was always meant for me, and it was truly my destiny."

Related: Dinah Jane Says She 'Quit' Music Due to Depression in 2020: 'I Just Had to Stop Completely' (Exclusive)

The star released a new single called "Ya Ya" in August, marking her first release since 2020, following a depressive period that led her to realize she wanted to incorporate her Polynesian heritage into her art. Throughout that time, she was also reminded of her dedicated fans' support.

"I would just be in certain places, and people would recognize me, and I'm just like, 'Oh my gosh, this should open your eyes. Your voice matters, and people need you,'" recalled Jane. "Just me creating something that is impactful for them is also something that resonates with me — to know that you're doing something right, and it's a place where you belong."

More music is coming soon from the "Bottled Up" singer. "I'm really excited to dive into this project of what I've got this era and what people can see with my Polynesian, brown skin girl tings," she teases, "and just be proud and loud with it."

Related: Lauren Jauregui and Dinah Jane Reunite for First Time Since Fifth Harmony's Hiatus — See the Photos!

Jane played pickleball at Underwood's Pickle! for Purpose Celebrity Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, which was led by The Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation to support mental health awareness for student-athletes, in an effort to clear the way for them to receive access to the mental health resources they need.

The foundation also supports the Targeting Emotional and Mental Stability Act (TEAMS), which they are working with Congress to pass.

During the event, Jane opened up about why she wanted to take part. "It's so important for me to show up because I feel like I can relate in a sense. The road isn't easy," she said. "I think people have this image of quote-unquote celebrities who have this perfect lifestyle, but really in our personal lives there's so much that we deal with."

The musician added, "In this journey of me jumping into my projects, I've found that being honest and open with your journey is so important for your health journey. It's therapeutic in a sense just to let people know that you're also human at the end of the day, and it's OK to break, and it's OK to fall."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.