This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week ends tomorrow (17th), but let’s be honest – mental health awareness is a year-long issue, so there’s never a best or worst time to bring it up. But what’s it got to do with us?
Well, this year’s theme is “Take Action”. That could be for you to help yourself, or to help someone else. And those “actions” can be the smallest thing. You’re on a music website (or Facebook page, depending on where you’re reading this), so how can music help?
The smallest thing can give you a little boost. Music has helped in in many ways over the years, not least of which is helping me meet a wonderful bunch of supportive friends – via this site, meeting them at gigs and so on. But sometimes it’s simpler than that. Just popping in some headphones and letting the music wash over and through me can stave off the worse of times.
Bowling For Soup make me want to sing. Machine Head make me want to rage. Hatebreed is perfect when I want to hit things (punchbag in the back garden… usually). Royal Republic make me want to dance like nobody is watching. Papa Roach make me want to scream lyrics I can relate to out (very) loud.
As I’ve got older and paid more attention to those lyrics they reinforce the fact that, very often, someone else knows just how you feel. To the point where they’ve written a song about it.
If you’re up for a bit more action, then try and get yourself out somewhere (or invite someone who needs a bit of a lift to come with you). Of course we’ll recommend gigs as they can have a fantastic atmosphere but there are plenty of other things you can do. For example, there’s the regular Heavy Metal Therapy peer support groups in local cafés. It can be a big step to get up and out (believe me, I know), but it’s a very important step… and once you’ve taken it the next one is easier. And the next.
Or pick up the phone and talk / text. It could be your GP, or Samaritans, or a friend. It doesn’t matter. But take action.
