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Do you know what it’s like to have heavy metal be the only thing keeping your emotions in check when you feel alone in the world? Because I definitely know. 

As someone who was emotionally manipulated and picked on consistently through all of grade school, I found the best way to take control of the issue was with heavy music, but I didn’t choose the music, the music chose me. 

It has helped me immensely and has been a foundation in my life for as long as I can remember. 

Because of that, I wanted to share a few stories of how heavy metal has helped people in their lives and some of the science behind its impact on well-being.

A UK-based resource known as “Heavy Metal Therapy” is directed by Dr. Kate Quinn, a clinical psychologist experienced in helping promote positive mental health and well-being for neurodiverse older teenagers and young adults.

Her work as a psychologist does not involve direct music therapy as the Heavy Metal Therapy program is a separate entity.

However, the program does provide peer support groups similar to those of traditional music therapy groups.

Two primary approaches that Heavy Metal Therapy uses include the online testimonials from community members and the playlists they incorporate for those same members.

Quinn said in those playlists, “We’ve probably covered almost every single emotional experience you could probably think of. So, it’s got everything, you know, from anxiety to dissociation, trauma, relationships, absolutely everything.”

It’s all about feeling validated and cared for. From my personal experience, extreme music was always there to give me that feeling even when I couldn’t give it to myself.

Dr. Quinn said, “I think a lot of mental health promotion is quite focused on, you know, trying to be positive all the time, and it’s okay to not be okay, and live laugh love, all of that stuff.”

She said that she didn’t think that approach worked for everybody and some were more interested in acknowledging that things were hard sometimes rather than trying to believe everything is fine when it is not.

Heavy Metal Therapy has a different slogan.

“Die, cry, hate is what I like to say,” she said.

As a diehard metalhead, I absolutely adore that slogan.

Another thing I adore is the heavy metal community. It’s like family!

One of those members of the heavy metal family is Meagan Jones, a frequent attendee of metal shows in Augusta.

She can normally be found at Grantski Records, where plenty of chaotic fun is bound to happen.

Heavy music has been instrumental in her life. From early middle school and beyond into high school, it has helped her understand who she is as a person.

“It was a time of self-discovery, figuring out who I was, what kind of music I liked, the style I wanted to dress and everything,” Jones said.

As for her mental health and well-being, it has been a clear emotional outlet and place for her to enjoy life despite the struggles and stresses.

She said that going to live shows gives her an escape from work and the parts of life that honestly just suck sometimes. 

Another huge aspect of the music that allows Meagan to maintain positive mental health is the safety and comfort the heavy metal community gives.

“The scene is a really good place for people who feel like they don’t belong and it gives them that sense of belonging,” she said.

This also includes her fashion style too. Her battle jacket is pink and themed around feminism. 

The fact that she can be herself around people with absolutely no judgment is a testament to how inviting and open the metal family truly is!

 Heavy music has also helped Meagan immensely in the past. After having gone through a very tough breakup after a 9-year relationship, life became dark for her.

“At the time, I was devastated and I was just really hurt and really angry so I wanted to listen to a lot of really loud and angry music to help me get through that time,” she said.

She also said that it was a perfect time to put on her old high school jams at such a juncture.

No matter what struggles we metalheads face, the music will always be there for us and it is no different for this next person.

Augusta University’s resident heavy music lover, Professor Edgar Johnson, said how much heavy music and music in general have helped him in his life over the years. 

 He detailed his time growing up as a hardcore punk fan in the early to mid-80s who didn’t necessarily roll with the right crowd at the time.

“A lot of the people I was hanging out with were weirdos and there was a lot of negative influences around me as a result of that,” Johnson said. 

He shared how that experience led to feelings of alienation.

Anger was another feeling he experienced.

Johnson said that it wasn’t necessarily due to that particular situation with the group he stayed around, but he had a way to express that anger through the sense of alienation he was feeling at the time.

Heavy music has always been a way for many of us to do the exact same and vent our frustrations in a way that doesn’t harm anyone else.

As time progressed and Johnson grew older, such a rebellious lifestyle began to fade as he entered the military, started a family, and started to live with a regular career. 

But there is a kid in everyone even when we get older that cannot die. That is why people like Edgar, Meagan, and I will undoubtedly continue to love heavy music and all that it has done for us and our mental health and well-being, regardless of whether people understand its appeal or not.

Heavy metal is happiness, sadness, anger, joy, and suffering all wrapped into one crazy package!