A senior lecturer in Music Therapy at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Dr Katrina McFerran is immersed in a new study that aims to find out why some young people use heavy metal music in a negative way, according to the University’s Newsroom (and note that the URL contains the number “666,” in what is presumably a bizarre coincidence).
By conducting in-depth interviews with 50 young people aged between 13 and 18, along with a national survey of 1,000 young people, Dr McFerran is looking to develop an early intervention model that can be integrated into schools to impact positively before behavioral problems occur.
Maybe things are different Down Under, but one can only imagine what that “model” might look like and how cash-strapped public schools could afford to implement and manage it when textbooks often present a financial obstacle, particularly to Stateside schools.
Anyway, Dr McFerran is quoted as saying: "The mp3 revolution means that young people are accessing music more than ever before and it's not uncommon for some to listen to music for seven or eight hours a day.
"Most young people listen to a range of music in positive ways; to block out crowds, to lift their mood or to give them energy when exercising, but young people at risk of depression are more likely to be listening to music, particularly heavy metal music, in a negative way.
"Examples of this are when someone listens to the same song or album of heavy metal music over and over again and doesn't listen to anything else. They do this to isolate themselves or escape from reality.
"If this behavior continues over a period of time then it might indicate that this young person is suffering from depression or anxiety, and at worst, might suggest suicidal tendencies."
Dr. McFerran said parents should be aware of their children's music listening habits, pick up on early warning signs and take early action.
"If parents are worried, they should ask their children questions like — how does that music make you feel? If children say the music reflects or mirrors the way they feel then ask more about what the music is saying," she said.
"If listening doesn't make them feel good about themselves, this should ring alarm bells. Alternatively, if parents notice a downturn in their child's mood after listening to music this is also a cause for showing interest and getting involved."
OK, to be clear: I think we can all agree that these findings (and they are not conclusions yet by the University’s own admission) raise important issues and parents should be monitoring their kids’ listening habits - and computer habits and eating habits and sleeping habits – for signs of trouble.
But this must be seen in perspective. For one thing, the sample group was small. For another, teens are notorious for obsessing on something for a week before dropping it abruptly and moving on to something else.
Yeah, Slipknot’s music is aggressive and angry but just because Junior is blasting it 24/7 doesn’t necessarily mean he’s struggling with mental illness. Like anything, one hopes parents will take this information with a grain of salt and use it only in the context of a bigger picture.
Many might disagree w/me, but I think the study is correct....in some ways. I know some kids that are o.k., but my friend's kid is totally out of control in every way - police, stealing, drugs, no school (great family too) and he isolates himself w/heavy metal. Sometimes it's the isolation, the lyrics that might, esp. if the kid has any kind of problems at home/school or has a mental problem that hasn't been diagnosed that can cause huge problems and/or suicide.
Posted by: Bailey | 10/20/2011 at 11:36 AM
Give me a break! The only music responsible for Suicide is Country Music. I've been listening to metal for years (along with other types of music ie:hip hop, pop) and I'm not dead nor depressed. Metal is good for letting out aggressions not the cause of them.
Posted by: Madhacker | 10/20/2011 at 12:42 PM
Heavy Metal music is for the crackheads and potheads.You have to be stoned to relate to the garbage they call music and that's what the depressing part is.They don't know music.
Posted by: JR | 10/20/2011 at 12:55 PM
And what was the cause of depression, violent behaviour, anxiety and suicidal tendencies BEFORE heavy metal came into existence? Or for that matter, before any new style of music is created? How about a study of how their environment and socioeconomic level affects them?
Posted by: Eric | 10/20/2011 at 01:12 PM
First, my friends and I, along with millions of people world wide listen to heavy metal and have never touched pot or crack so JR's message shows me he is an idiot. Second, it doesn't matter what type of music someone listens to, music is meant to bring out emotion and if something is too vulgar, then these peoples parents shouldn't allow their kids to listen to it anyways. This is what disclaimers are for.
Posted by: Mike | 10/20/2011 at 01:29 PM
I don't think they're saying heavy metal CAUSES depression - I thought they meant that some who are depressed listen to heavy metal excessively ie. for hours at stretch, exclusive to other music or doing other activities.
I quit listening to the blues music I used to love because I realized that I found it very depressing to only listen to that - (it is the "BLUES" right?), was just too ... downbeat to feel positive listening to it. I think the study is suggesting the same thing about heavy metal. Just IMHO.
Posted by: jonesy | 10/20/2011 at 01:34 PM
I agree with Mike, don't blame Metal for kids being depressed, blame the economy. Kids aren't depressed due to Heavy Metal their depresed because they are being told that they are wrong daily.
Posted by: C.Chopps | 10/20/2011 at 07:12 PM
The question is, which came first - the chicken or the egg? Depressed kids probably relate more to the lyrics and mood of certain metal music. I agree with Mike's comment (10/20 1:29) - it's meant to bring out emotion. For every suicide linked (rightly or wrongly) to metal, there's probably 100 kids who DON'T off themselves because they realize someone else "gets them".
Posted by: Rockin' Mom | 10/20/2011 at 07:29 PM
Where the hell is the science behind this? Its just another genre of music. Why would someone listen to something to feel worse? Music is art, period. This kind of hysteria is laughable. Why metal? Shakespeare was extremely dark. So are many movies, films, and novels. Perhaps all those millions of acedemics reading Hemingway actually foster deep-seated feelings of lonliness, depression, and suicidal ideation...perhaps they need help. Perhaps they need to be on Prozac. After all, Hemingway's stories are very dark.
Don't comment on a genre of music you don't understand...if your knowledge of metal is limited to the most mainstream of the genre, you need to do some research. Having Metallica represent metal is akin to having J.K. Rowling represent 20th-century literature.
It's possible to smoke dope, listen to Slayer, and have a fufilling life-contrary to what the biased, corporate media might tell you,
Posted by: Anonymous | 10/20/2011 at 07:34 PM
I'm 45 and been listening to metal since 1980, no depression or violent outbursts, not a crackhead i am 420 friendly. Metal Music in general is a lighting rod for all the bleeding hearts, who have nothing better to do with their time. Other music is just as racey or vulgar as metal, but there mainstream and supposed roll models, Britney, Shakira, Pink, John Mayer, read the lyrics from some of there songs.
Posted by: Metal Monster | 10/20/2011 at 07:45 PM
Totally agree with Mike, I think JR is an idiot also. I listen to many types of music from classical to metal, which I find are somewhat similar due to the complexity of the music. If anything, I would think that listening to pop all day would be depressing.
Posted by: Strato | 10/20/2011 at 07:45 PM
I completely disagree. Why? Because they haven't proved anything. All they've proven (technically nothing because they're sample size is too small) is that many teens who are depressed listen to those genres of music. Nothing more. The question still remains, does the music make them depressed? Or do they listen to the music BECAUSE they are depressed. Just another chicken-and-the-egg question.
Posted by: Chris | 10/20/2011 at 08:03 PM
wow....they're just slamming people who listen to metal. metal doesn't cause depression, it's the person interpretation of the lyrical and melody composition. any music genre can cause depression or suicide. and my opinion of this story is there is too much of a bias to be taken seriously.
Posted by: headbanger | 10/20/2011 at 08:34 PM
Why is there a study and story about a genre of music that doesn't exist, and hasn't for almost 20 years?
Posted by: ... | 10/20/2011 at 08:34 PM
There are also studies that show that people who listen to heavy metal share the same personality traits as people who listen to classical music. People who listen to metal tend to be more creative. Most metal fans even take up playing music themselves. If metal fans are depressed it's because of it's like JF who treat people who listen to metal like crap. I like metal because of how complex the music is, I want more from music other than simple repetative beats, lyrics about sex and partying. A lot of metal lyrics are very positive and bring light to the issues of the world. There are also stereotypes that rap fans are all drugdealers and gangbangers, country fans are all close minded rednecks, pop fans are stupid. Here's an idea how about stopping judging people by what music they listen to and judge them by the human being they are. No body blames country music, or pop every time someone who likes country music is depressed....stop blaming metal.
Posted by: Greg | 10/20/2011 at 08:39 PM
No wonder I've been feeling so depressed. :)
Posted by: omgsomf | 10/20/2011 at 08:53 PM
@Bailey You're darn right I disagree with you. What you described there is called adolesense. Teens who listen to all types of music act that way, not just metal. There are good teens and bad teens and they come in all shapes and sizes and listen to all types of music. You'd be blaming rap if he listened to rap and acted that way, but I bet you wouldn't blame the music if it was music you enjoyed. @JR Garbage huh? Metal music is some of the most difficult music to create and play. It's comprised of complex arrangements and song structures sometimes akin to classical music. It used elements of jazz and blues also. Metal music lyrics are also more thought out that most popular music. Songs generally have to do with social issues, polotics, religion, and more left wing ideals. Metal, jazz, blues, and classical are the highest levels of music one can listen to. A lot of metal fans also listen to classical and blues too. I also don't do drugs. You're comment doesn nothing but display your ignorance.
Posted by: Greg | 10/20/2011 at 08:54 PM
While there might be some merit to this study, to me it just seems like another 'low blow' to heavy metal music. I had listened to heavy metal from the ages of 16-20 almost exclusively and it helped me through some terrible times in my life. There are great messages in these songs and the music made by some of the better bands far exceeds any of these other talentless bands/artists who call themselves 'musicians'. Dave Mustaine's pinky finger contains more talent in it than all of Lady Gaga.
Depressed people will listen to all sorts of music, not just heavy metal. Metal is usually very aggressive and gets a bad reputation. It's a real shame, especially from people who don't listen to it themselves enough and will sterotype it (looking at you, JR).
Posted by: Stupidus | 10/20/2011 at 09:37 PM
Oh my god.I can't believe people to this day still think that heavy metal and hard rock is the cause for depression and suicide.Well what caused people to become depressed and suicidal before hard rock or any other music came into existence as Eric mentioned. I have been listening to hard rock ever since the late 70's when I was a kid in grade 1.I also like classic rock like Fleetwood Mac.One more thing,JR you probably would'nt know good music if it fell on you.
Posted by: K.Davie | 10/20/2011 at 09:41 PM
I'm a 40 year old guy. Very decent paying job- wife and 2 kids. I have been listening to Metal since I was 10. I actually listen to it while I'm working (albeit at a lowered background level, I mean, I wouldn't want to hear YOUR Justin Beiber, or 50 cents, right?)
The point being, I am the furthest thing from depressed. Metal HAS been linked, tragically (and in most cases, at no fault), in some suicides. Should H.G. Welles been held accountable if some moron threw himself off of a bridge after the first radio airing of 'War of the worlds'?
The longhairs of the world are not the threat anymore. Give your collective heads a shake.
Honestly, people, if you don't like the sound; don't listen.
Always keep this little nugget in mind: If you don't like the sound of a fart, stay away from the asshole.
Posted by: Kevin | 10/20/2011 at 09:51 PM
Please, ever listen to country? Ever listen to a dog listening to country?
Make a man slit his wrists.
That is depressing crap.
Posted by: samson | 10/20/2011 at 09:59 PM
I've been a metal head for 35 years... and I've never done drugs and I'm not depressed. Depression is just another excuse for those who can't supposedly sort out their lives. GIVE ME A BREAK!
Posted by: wally | 10/20/2011 at 10:20 PM
What I find REALLY depressing is the proliferation of junk science by researchers who study whatever is most likely to get funding by some organization with an agenda ( junk food, video games, and heavy metal are always good targets for desperate professors without tenure) How about a study on the increasing number of aging academics hanging around young people, trying to look hip and hit on girls ?
Posted by: ed law | 10/20/2011 at 10:33 PM
What makes this JR's point null and what makes this article rather useless is the fact that "heavy metal" as public sees it is very different than what metal is to a metalhead. I love metal, but I don't listen to crap like slipknot. Sure metal can be aggressive, but it is also creative, mythical, magical, mysterious, melodic, layer, deep, and intensely skillful. Depression can find an out in any type of music, hell, Coldplay and Dashboard confessional are far more depressing than most metal bands.
Posted by: Jaylon | 10/20/2011 at 11:15 PM
Interesting article. I suffer from depression and alcoholism, and I like heavy metal music ( as well as other genres ), but I don't constantly blast my eardrums with Metallica, Judas Priest, or Slipknot for hours on end.
Individuals who suffer from depression still have their own tastes in music, and will not suddenly switch from country, rap or blues to heavy metal if they decline into a depressive state.
This study is obviously just another reason to link mental illness with heavy metal music, and the media in general. Some of us choose music to escape, but some also indulge in alcohol, drugs, or other distractions to take our minds off the real causes of depression.
Posted by: Jeff Temple | 10/20/2011 at 11:18 PM