Ali Luciani, Campus Carrier asst. arts and living editor

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to emphasize the importance of mental health and consider the different ways people cope with daily challenges. One of the ways many people express and process emotions is through listening to music. Whether it’s smooth jazz to ease anxiety or a motivating pop track, music plays a powerful role in shaping how we feel and manage our emotions.

Music is a pivotal coping tool among students and adults and can physically calm or energize  the body. 

“If somebody is very anxious, oftentimes they will explain it as a visceral feeling,” Assistant Director of Counselling Whitney Gates said. “Their pulse rate is up and they have a bunch of energy that is not the good kind of energy. It’s a very negative energy. So, if we have bilateral beats or the tempo of a song is slower, the heart will tend to want to mimic that.” 

Gates said that the tempo of a song can regulate energy and reduce anxiety, providing immediate emotional relief. For students that balance academics, athletics, jobs, and clubs, this type of music can provide a quick and easy way to manage stress without turning to unhealthy coping strategies.

Gates also pointed to music’s ability to connect people. 

“A great way for people to connect is to share a song with a group that is meaningful to them,” Gates said. “Being able to share something is very helpful. It allows us to be vulnerable with one another.” 

Sharing music in therapy sessions encourages emotional openness and builds a social support. Even outside of therapy, students share playlists with friends as a way of expressing their feelings. A single song can communicate emotions that are hard to put into words, creating comfort and connection without needing a conversation.

For some people, music shapes their daily mindset. Senior Nancy Daniel is one of  those people.

 “I constantly catch myself finding a song that I’m very drawn to because it’s that feeling and that tone of it and really relating to it,” Daniel said. “Listening to upbeat music, you feel like you’re having a good time.”

Students can use music to shape their mood and perspective. At the same time, listening to music that expresses sadness can sometimes increase negative emotion. Choosing an uplifting song can improve focus, motivation and overall emotional well-being. 

“Sometimes we don’t need sad songs all the time,” Daniel said. “Motivational music makes me go. If I want something, I’m going to work hard to go get it.”

Her point highlights the idea that choosing music can increase resilience and help manage stress. Her focus on motivational music shows the importance of choosing songs intentionally and using them as a tool for growth rather than a way to dwell in sadness. 

“Music affects the way you look at the world, truly,” Daniel said. 

Music influences the mindset, not just emotions, but how an individual can interpret their own personal experiences and thoughts. 

Music also provides space for expression. According to Sophomore Mackenzie McGrath, listening to songs with specific emotional undertones allows people to connect with and sometimes release their emotions. 

 “When you’re creating music and you’re with a choir or band, you feel,” McGrath said. “When my choir performed in Carnegie Hall, we really bonded over how hard we worked to get there, and even though it was stressful, it really got us through that time.” 

Group performances create a sense of belonging. Creating music as a group not only provides an emotional release but can also strengthen social bonds. The shared efforts of rehearsal and performances give students a support system, which can remind them they are part of something larger than feeling isolated. This demonstrates the benefits music has on supporting mental health. 

By recognizing the role music plays in shaping one’s emotions, schools and communities can encourage healthier strategies. 

Music can calm, energize, heal and connect people. During National Suicide Prevention Month and everyday life, paying attention to how we use music can support mental health. Whether it’s through blasting music in our headphones or professors playing music in classrooms, music reminds us that we are not alone and offers a powerful tool to manage emotions in everyday life.