Austin Bowden is feeling the music while performing in Festival Square with his band 21st Avenue. 

No matter where we seem to step foot, we are constantly surrounded by sound. Whether that is the honking of horns and roaring of engines, the sound of pencils gliding across paper, or the distant conversations of passers-by, there seems to be no escape from it all. Then when you finally get a minute of silence it can be jarring, because now all you can hear is the noise inside your head. 

Young adults in Canada are struggling with their mental health more than ever. According to a study done by the Center for Addictions and Mental Health in 2024, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness. Among that group, young adults aged 15 to 24 are the most likely to experience mental health or substance use issues more than any other group. 

With mental illness rates rising among young adults, they become more at risk of substance abuse and suicide. Approximately 4,500 Canadians die each year from suicide, with it being the second largest cause of death among young adults aged 15 to 24 according to Statistics Canada. This increase has led people to find various forms of relief, some good and some destructive. 

Music is one of the most common devices used amongst young adults as a form of therapy or relief. No matter the genre, music as a whole has seen an increase in consumption over the past decade aligning with the mental health rates increase. Tylus Baumgardt, a young adult working in Lethbridge, says finding songs that match his mood is helpful to his well-being.

 “I tend to listen to a lot of music especially when I’m feeling down, it just seems like no matter what mood I’m in there is a song that will resonate with me.” 

This ability to relate and resonate with music is what draws many of us to certain songs, Baumgardt says in some of his darkest times music has been the most helpful thing for his mental health.

 “I’ve dealt with bouts of depression and music is kind of a saving grace in a lot of ways since it helps me process what I’m going through.”

Whether it is the lyrics, musical arrangements, or overall mood of a piece of music, anyone who listens to a song can find something enjoyable if they truly pay attention.

 According to How Music Affects Us Emotionally published on Sep. 27, 2023 by shahram Heshmat to Psychology Today Canada, people’s emotional response to music is caused by their limbic system which is in charge of the body’s regulation of emotions, memory and behavior. This explains one’s ability to relate to or to feel from a particular piece of music.

Listening to music typically falls into someone’s daily routine whether that is to get you active in the morning, or to wind down in the evening. Krys Wilson, a psychologist at Emerge Psychology, says having steady parts to your routine can have major implications on your mental well-being. 

“Routines are beneficial to give someone structure and some control especially if they are feeling lost or that many things in their life are currently out of their control”. 

People listening to music as part of their daily ritual has helped with the increase in streaming over the past few years.  

According to Music Industry Statistics in Canada by Olivia Bush published on Oct. 28, 2024, to madeinca.ca, music streaming in Canada has increased by over ten per cent over the past two years. 

While music consumption is based on a variety of factors, its relation to people’s daily lives and mental health is a prominent factor. Wilson says music and various forms of art can be therapeutic to people struggling with mental illness.

 “People tend to look for something they can relate to in any way, I feel like plenty of people can find that in many forms of art, especially music.” 

Whether people enjoy sad songs or happy ones their response is not just black and white. A song that seems sad can be relieving or cathartic and a song that can be happy or light-hearted can draw negative responses.

 According to Positive Effects of Music on Mental Health by Sara Azavedo, published on Jun. 10, 2023 to Music in Motion Canada, this is due to the complexity of emotional responses from the brain.” The stimulation from music releases various hormones from the brain causing a variety of potential effects.” 

When reviewing the effects that music can have on one’s mental health, one may ask, “Why does this matter?” One simply has to look at the crucial numbers regarding the livelihood of young adults across the country. These stats regarding substance use, suicide, and mental illness are especially troubling due to the positive alternatives people can turn to. 

Music therapy and therapy in general have seen large growth over the past five years. Wilson says a large increase in her clientele has been from young adults seeking help. 

“I see clients from a range of ages but recently have seen more young adults showing interest in taking care of their general well-being.” 

The psychological effects of music are also taken into consideration by the people who create it. Tanner Bexson, a local musician who has been playing guitar for September Crows for over five years , says he tries to convey messages that people can relate to through his music.  

“Whenever I am writing a new song I try to write from the heart or write about experiences I’ve had that others can relate to.”

This approach built upon relatability and transparency is a key reason for various people to listen to music, solely because they find it relatable. Bexson also says this is an approach he tends to mirror based on the music he listens to. 

Fortunately, with an ever-expanding group of resources across the country for teens and young adults, there is hope that they will find a solution for them. Finally, people must understand that even the smallest things can make a difference, one song may just be what someone needs to lighten up their day.