“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” ― Bob Marley
This summer we celebrate world music day. Music has been a part of human existence for millennia. Most countries and cultures have their own styles of music; there’s something for everyone. Music can make you feel, music can make you want to move around. Songs can speak of the past, present and future. They can invoke in us all kinds of thoughts, emotions and dreams. Einstein suggested that if he was not a physicist, he would be a musician as he often thinks in music.
World music day suggests that in order to celebrate and take part in the day, you simply have to spend time listening to your favourite music. If you can sing or play an instrument you can celebrate by making some music of your own.
Part of the collaborative work that our suicide prevention advisors do with callers is to invite callers to think about things that can help quieten thoughts of suicide for now. For many people who live with thoughts of suicide, music can be something which keeps them safe from thoughts of suicide and connected to living.
One of the most frequent things we hear from callers that contact HOPELINEUK is that music plays a huge part in their work to keep themselves safe from thoughts of suicide. Listening to music that has a deep meaning for our callers can help them feel safer, distracted and connected to the idea of wanting to live.
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” ― Maya Angelou
Listening to music that we like has been linked to our brains producing dopamine. Dopamine is usually produced when we do something pleasurable like exercise or eating food. This might shed some light on why listening to music can be helpful when feeling suicidal. Music could also be a creative outlet to express emotions that it might be difficult to talk about in words.
On June 21st or any other day for that matter, if you are living with thoughts of suicide and you’re looking at ways to increase your sense of safety, consider music. Listening to music or enjoying music in anyway is just one of many things that could be part of a plan to keep safe for now from thoughts of suicide.
