Young people find that listening to, reading, or writing lyrics is often a therapeutic tool, according to a survey conducted by Youth Music. The survey consisted of more than 3,000 people aged 16 to 24, revealing that 93% of respondents believe that music is good for their mental wellbeing. Furthermore, 54% of the respondents stated that listening to, writing, or reading lyrics contributed positively in reducing their feelings of loneliness and isolation.
According to Youth Music’s Self-Expression Report, which was commissioned in 2021, there is a strong link between songwriting, self-expression, and wellbeing for young people. The report highlights the importance of lyric writing as a therapeutic tool for regulating and channelling experiences into something positive. Additionally, the report emphasises how music is a powerful vehicle for engaging with social issues, referencing the role of gospel and folk music in the civil rights movement and UK punk subculture’s anti-establishment rebellion against social conditions in the 1970s.
In light of the ongoing cost of living crisis and pandemic’s aftermath affecting mental health across the country, Youth Music conducted a survey to deepen its understanding of how creativity can contribute to young people’s wellbeing. Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, emphasises that the last few years have been a challenging time for young people, particularly those facing barriers in their lives, and the impact is weighing heavily on their mental health. Griffiths notes that the new evidence shows that creativity continues to provide an essential outlet for young people, making it crucial to ensure projects offering this space for work can survive and thrive during challenging economic circumstances.
Writing lyrics serves as a love language to oneself and provides a means of connecting with others going through similar emotions, according to Manchester-based multidisciplinary artist, B!TEZ. This self-expression through creative outlets such as music and lyric writing is incredibly cathartic and a way for young people to translate their trauma, according to Jinx Prowse, the CEO of Youth Music-funded partner Music Fusion.
However, this expression has come under threat with the increasing use of rap lyrics in UK trials. Campaigns such as the Art Not Evidence campaign aim to oppose the use of rap lyrics in trials and protect young people’s source of self-expression. Youth Music has offered a full report on young people’s relationship with music and lyrics, providing insight into how music and lyric writing serve as an essential tool for mental wellbeing.
In conclusion, Youth Music’s survey emphasises the importance of music as a tool for regulating emotions and channelling experiences into something positive. Additionally, music provides a means for young people to engage with social issues and promotes self-expression. Providing safe spaces for creative expression can be an essential component of improving young people’s mental wellbeing, particularly in the midst of challenging times
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