Heavy Metal does Not equal suicide
(Factors of Suicide)
One fan called "Trapped Under Ice" by Metallica as being "'good for frustrated depression'" (Stack, Gundlach, and Reeves 17). Do you agree? Is Heavy metal music a suicide factor?
As mentioned in the critique of heavy metal page, the source of the suicidal tendencies is within the subculture. Several risk factors of suicide include bad family relationships, depression, alienation, hopelessness, and drug abuse. These feelings cause one to join a subculture that is similar to their values, attitudes, and psychological states. The heavy metal subculture is a perfect match for suicidal adolescents (Lacourse, Claes, and Villeneuve 322). Some people believe that the themes in heavy metal music cause suicide are wrong because fans have claimed that the only reason they did not commit suicide was the music (Stack 390). Furthermore, studies have found despite the images of death and destruction that the mental health of the fans are good. In other words, the fans are not suicidal (Recours, Aussaguel, and Trujillo 484). Heavy metal music might actually be a blessing rather than a death sentence for fans. It has been found, especially in girls, that listening to music is an effective way to cope with uncomfortable emotions. Instead of stereotyping heavy metal music as evil, we should use music as a coping mechanism since it helps lower suicidal risks (Lacourse, Claes, and Villeneuve 331). Heavy metal music does not cause one to commit suicide. It only appears to be the case since the heavy metal subculture is centered on many factors of suicide. As a result there is not a logical connection between the metal genre and the subculture in terms of suicide. Both work together yet independently of each other. The heavy metal genre needs its fans to remain popular, but the higher suicide risk of fans do not need the heavy metal genre to exist. If heavy metal did not exist there would be the same people who are oppressed and face hardships every day. Metal music unites these people into one group; it does not push the fans to kill themselves. Music is the coping strategy for people not the aggressor in causing suicide.