My English Speech Presentation Thingy

Apologies if this sounds dry or robotic or something this is just how we write prose in good ol England

It really isn't that good, I screwed up big time whilst reading this

so without further ado...

Does emo music have a negative effect on mental health?

Well… no. I’d like to argue that emo music does not necessarily have negative impacts on its listeners; it’s not all just darkness and baseless angst. Instead, it often seems to aid its listeners through dreary times in their lives.

Did you know that in 2022, 25% of young people aged between 16 and 19 had a probable mental health disorder? Maybe you didn’t, but music has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health, so what about emo? To begin with, lyrics in emo songs (such as those of bands like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy) often speak about subjects such as depression, anxiety, alienation, trauma and heartbreak, which are things that many young people experience but wouldn’t want to talk about themselves. These make them feel less alone and heard and understood, which could act as huge relievers for those struggling with mental health. In addition, discussing these lyrics or creating playlists can be used to convey strong feelings, showing that emo music can be therapeutic for some.

Another way emo acts as an aid is through its community. Fans can connect through a multitude of ways, including on forums and chat rooms on the internet but also in person at concerts, with other people who have similar interests. They create safe spaces where people can talk about anything troubling them - a lifeline for those fractured. This sense of belonging can protect the listener’s mental health and reduce feelings of isolation, possibly even giving them close friends - who could help them.

Furthermore, emo helps encourage expression. People are encouraged to express how they feel - through fashion, art, poetry, music, etc. Whilst some may just see dark clothes and straightened hair, others may view them as symbols of life or belonging. Expressing emotions, instead of keeping them bottled up and hidden, has been proven to help reduce the aforementioned depression and anxiety. These act as healthy coping mechanisms, instead of drinking or drugs, which only exacerbate already poor mental health.

However, some may say that emo music and culture is detrimental and that it encourages strong feelings of sadness and possibly even worse, self-harm. Sadly, this may be the reality for some, especially those who identify themselves as part of a subculture. But.

It is not talking about our own problems that causes harm, it is ignoring them which does. Emo, along with many other alternative subcultures, gives its listeners a way to confront their pain, instead of hiding from it and if you listen with an open mind, you’ll find that emo music is more about survival than succumbing.

In conclusion, emo isn’t about promoting pain, it’s about processing it and eventually overcoming it. It provides a trusty outlet for strong feelings as well as emotional, social connections and could also be viewed as cathartic. These could make it the first step towards healing for some. So, instead of judging peers with an alternative fashion sense or music taste, we should instead be thankful for emo music and culture - for bringing mental health awareness into the mainstream and also for treading over ground that many of us are too afraid to do so ourselves.

Hope you guys enjoyed!!! :)