17 songs about self harm and depression

In this blog we present to you 16 songs about self harm and depression. 

17 songs about self harm and depression

Bleed It Out By Linkin Park

This song is one of the best songs about self harm. This song describes the struggle of living with mental anguish and how self harm is one’s way of dealing with it. 

It also describes how the narrator feels like no one cares even if they do hurt themselves. It is about how one feels powerless against the struggle and succumb to the habit of self harm. 

Cut Myself By Lil Peep

This song is about Lil Peep’s struggle with depression and how the only thing he wants to do is to get high on drugs as a way of escaping what is hurting him. 

The song also talks about being medicated for depression and though people ask him how he is the only thing he can do to manage the pain is to engage in self harm and the sheer helplessness of his situation. 

Suicidal Dream By Silverchair

This song is a song about sucide and depression, it follows the narrator as they think about what sucide and death will be like.

It talks about the thoughts and the urge to engage in self harm and suicide while also desicbing the desperation one feels about seeing help from people. 

Slit Wrist Theory By 36 Crazyfists

Hailed as one of their best songs about self-harm, “Slit Wrist Theory” is about the struggle of dealing with mental anguish and how when no one is waiting, the narrator engages in self harm because they believe that this is the only way they can deal with their pain. 

Adam’s Song’ – Blink 182

This song was written about a teen who left a note after his death by suicide and was written by the band when they were on tour. 

They heard about the death of the teenager and wrote the song about the isolation tha one feels that they could resound with.

The band members wrote this song to give a message that there’s a better way out, there are better things to do than kill yourself.

“Astronaut” by Simple Plan

This song by simple plan is considered a staple on the theme of isolation and alienation that one feels when they are struggling mentally and emotionally.

The writer of this song uses the metaphor of being isolated in outer space as he feels isolated, unheard, and as disconnected from others.

The song holds a sense of desperation as the singer sings about his desire to reach out and  rejoin humanity which reflects an individual’s desire to connect and feel understood. 

Everybody Hurts’ – R.E.M.

This song is an anti-suicide song that plays emphasis how important it is to connect with other people when they are depressed and that everyone hurts- they are not alone. 

‘Suicide Is Painless’ – Manic Street Preachers

This song is a satire about suicide. It talks about all the false promises of suicide and the supposed relief and change it will bring. 

This song is a message that aims to dissuade people from choosing death in the face of depression and challenges. 

Unwell — Matchbox Twenty

This song describes exactly what it is like to have depression or anxiety where the narrator of the song sings about being headed for a breakdown.

In Spite of the struggle the singer goes on to say that they are no crazy but a little unwell, which serves as a stance against the misconceptions about mental health. 

‘I See A Darkness’ – Bonnie Prince Billy

This song is about the lows of depression and how this particular low of hopelessness and worthlessness can drive an indidvdiual to escape in many ways including suicide and self harm. 

The song refects an indidvdiual inability to see any positive choices when they are depressed and instead think that the only way out is suicide which is not true. 

‘Breathe Me’ – Sia

“‘Breathe Me’ is a song about anxiety and the general feeling of worry. It was inspired by her experience of being overwhelmed by her own inner thoughts and the fear of potentially doing herself some harm.

‘Comfortably Numb’ – Pink Floyd

This song is about what it is like to look at yourself from a childlike perspective reaching out for the adult you who is depressed, alinetated, and struggling. It is about what it feels like to live with depression and find yourself disdain and numb. 

‘This song saved my life’ — Simple Plan

This song is about being depressed and down but being saved by a song that you heard at the right time when you needed it the most. 

It is about being connected or feeling understood by an artist who feels the same way and feeling connected through music. 

How to disappear completely— radiohead

This heavy song about the feeling of alienation by radiohead is about the feeling that one is completely disappearing and that their importance or pace in the world is shrinking. 

The lyrics of the song have a lot to do with the shame and isolation that one feels when they are part of this world and have depression. 

Headfirst for Halos — My chemical romance

This song is about the frustration one feels when the treatment that they are going through is clearly not working for them.

It also hints at sucidal ideation and the sheer frustration that one feels and the feeling that they are trapped with their mental state when treatment doesn’t seem to work. 

My immortal — Evanescence

This song by Evanescence speaks about wounds and the overwhelming sense of helplessness and hopelessness that one feels when they are depressed. It talks about what it is like to lose important people in one;s lives and how it impacts someone’s mental health. 

Dear Agony — Breaking Benjamin

This song is an open letter to depression and the agony of having to live with the condition. 

The writer of this song clearly addresses depression and talks about the sheer isolation and hopelessness one feels in the face of depression. 

How to manage depression and stop self harm?

A few things that we can do on an individual’s level to manage and maintain our mental health include:

If you find yourself struggling with depression and self harm, we urge you to seek support from a professional immediately. 

Here are a few resources that you can make use of if you are suicidal, depressed, or engageing in self harm. 

• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
• Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19
• If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
• Self Injury Support webchat (for women and girls) is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7pm to 9.30pm
• CALM webchat (for men) is open from 5pm to midnight every day

You can also reach out to local medical service providers or a mental health service provider. 

If you are hesitant about reaching out for help, speak to a trusted friend or adult about what you are going through.

Do not hesitate to make use of resources provided to seek out professional support.

Music has gotten a lot of people through tough times and for many, it serves as a companion and a way to express one’s self and their experiences. 

Seek out therapeutic care

Engaging with a therapist, being diligent with your medication, and making the changes you need to make to get better will determine your prognosis.

If the cost of therapy is becoming a burden consider talking to your therapist for a sliding scale option or the possibility of a pro bono case, and if that is not possible ask your therapist to refer you to someone who can take on your case at a much lower rate or for free. 

Your therapist will help you understand what is happening to you, might prescribe you medication if needed, and can help you tap into your own strengths that can help you adapt to challenges, changes, and overcome them.

Join a support group

Another thing you can do for yourself is to join a support group of people struggling with depression so that you can experience emotional support first hand within these communities and over time learn how to manage your challenges by learning from each other. 

It is possible that people with depression can also struggle with a sense of worthlessness, a feeling that you have nothing of value to offer. By joining a group that is open, empathetic, and growing towards healing, you and your experiences can be an excellent sense of support to someone else who is also in their early part of their journey. 

Seek out positive relationships

Like seeking out support in groups, seek out positive relationships in your life that do not judge and rather support you as you get better.

These can be friends, family and even past coworkers who offer support and a shoulder to learn on when you need it. 

These positive relationships can enable you to heal as well as help you as you move forward in life. 

Focus on resting and recovering

The most important thing that you can do for yourself is to rest and focus on recovering, do not rush yourself to get better so that you can go back to school or go back to work. 

Instead, take time to eat well, rest well, exercise, give time to yourself to think and engage in things you used to like doing before you started working- be it reading comics, or playing video games, or walking your pet.

Take effort to engage in things that you love doing, explore new activities if you feel like it and explore the world around you. 

Conclusion

This blog presents you a list of songs about sucide, self harm and depression. 

FAQ related to songs about self harm and depression

Do sad songs help with depression?

A 2018 study published in Emotion journal found that the participants of the study reported feeling better after listening to sad music which indicates that there is a possibility that sad songs does help with depression. 

Why do I like depressing music?

The most probable reason why we like sad depressing music is how much it moves us and how much we connect to it. It helps us feel understood and connects us to other people who share the same love for this music. 

Does music help with ADHD?

Listening to music might help increase dopamine as well as help someone with ADHD calm down. It can also be used as a tool to meditate and develop mindfulness. 

References

10 BEST SONGS ABOUT SELF-HARM OF ALL TIME, RANKED. Tone Start. Retrieved on 25th March 2022. https://www.tonestart.com/songs-about-self-harm/

Allen. E. 37 songs about depression and suicide. Music Industry How to. 

Retired on 25th March 2-22. https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/sad-songs-about-depression-suicide/#Unwell_by_Matchbox_Twenty

Bartleet. L. 50 Songs About Depression. NME. Retrieved on 25th march 2022. https://www.nme.com/list/50-songs-about-depression-1109