Taking a brief creative writing break to give you some crucial updates on MFYMH!
We are officially on Care Solace as a provider! For those unfamiliar, Care Solace is a third party referral and care coordinator that connects referring parties to the mental health agencies and providers that can meet the client’s needs. Care Solace is largely used by school counselors in the Bay Area to find longer term care for their students. It is many schools’ specific practice to utilize Care Solace first instead of sorting through a list of providers themselves. It is a growing and important service to lighten the load for school counselors. We hope this is the step towards opening MFYMH to more young metalheads in need of services!
MFYMH did it’s first tabling at a Mountain View Middle School for their Suicide Prevention Awareness Week. We had a fantastic time connecting with students, handing out our giveaways, snacks, and flyers, and getting in front of our desired audience. So grateful for this opportunity. (We are continuing to seek out tabling opportunities, so please keep us in mind for any future events)
Speaking of events, we will be at the Chris Cornell Tribute Show hosted by the band Rusty Chains on Saturday, September 26th at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. We will have even more goodies to giveaway, information about our services, and most importantly, be there to support a wonderful cause – all proceeds of this event go to SF Suicide Prevention and the Felton Institute. Check out the website here to learn more.
Surprisingly, the first blog post about a metal hero is not on a traditionally thought “metalhead” herself, but Dolly Parton embraced a true rock and roll spirit. It’s in her attitude about life, self-expression, and her community building efforts.
The world sadly lost Dolly just this Tuesday, August 25th, 2026. Dolly Parton was sunshine personified. She never changed to make herself palatable for others who didn’t understand. She was proud to be and look different from others. This feels so true to the metal and rock spirit. Being yourself against what is considered mainstream. Expressing yourself outwardly in a way that is most authentic to who you want to be and how you want to be perceived.
In an interview with Barbara Walters in 1978 (a painful watch), Dolly shows no cracks in her formidable confidence. She’s asked invasive questions about her body, if she feels she is a ‘joke,” and about the fidelity of her marriage. She met every dagger thrown at her with a response that had the perfect balance of a kind smile and an assertive answer. When asked about her appearance, Dolly said, “I decided that I would do something that would at least get the attention. Once they got past the shock of the ridiculous way I looked and all that, they would see there was parts of me to be appreciated. I’m very real where it counts” (ABC News, 2025).
What really mattered to her was what was on the inside. Another truth for the metal and rock community members: you may see an all black outfit and a “tough” exterior, yet you may meet the biggest sweetheart underneath. Beyond the looks we choose on the outside, it is about who we are and the values we live that should be embraced most.
And we cannot forget her album “Rockstar” released in 2023. She featured over 40 musicians on this album (DiVita, 2023). Not all of those musicians would be considered rock and metal icons themselves even. Upon the release of her album she shared some thoughts on the genre, “Rock is not just a sound,” she said. “It’s an attitude. Doing things your way, being a rebel. That’s why I think I’ve always had some rock’n’roll in my soul” (Hughes, 2026).
It feels cheap to shorten her incredible philanthropic and social efforts into one paragraph. For the sake of time, I’lll say this: Dolly’s larger than life persona and songs gained the attention of the world, and she used her platform and privilege with such consideration for humankind. She never forgot who she was and the people who supported her. You can find countless efforts she supported in wellness, the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community, readers, disaster relief, and so on. That will live on through the Dollywood Foundation and The Imagination Library, just to name a few.
Lastly, Dolly had many incredible quotes in her lifetime. She was a true artist after all. However, one favorite stands out as mental health is considered in this piece:
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
Thank you for your generosity beyond measure, your timeless music, and infectious giggles, Dolly. You embraced a certain spirit that spans all music types and most certainly is welcome in this one.
I’ll be looking forward to the next time I listen to hundreds of metalheads sing “Jolene” as it plays between sets at a show (true story and not a unique one; she is loved across genres!).
References
ABC News. (2025, August 11). Barbara Walters” memorable interview with Dolly Parton (1978). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgsKfFvM8I
DiVita, J. (2023, May 9). Dolly Parton Announces Over 40 Special Guests on 30-Track Album “Rockstar.” Loudwire. https://loudwire.com/dolly-parton-rockstar-album-track-listing-guest-musicians/
Hughes, R. (2026, August 25). How Dolly Parton corralled a Who’s Who of rock royalty to record her landmark Rockstar album: “There’s more aggression in rock’n’roll – you’ve got to treat it with respect.” Louder. https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/interviews/how-dolly-parton-made-rock-star
Richards, B. (2026, August 25). Dolly Parton, ‘Addicted to the Feeling of Giving,’ Leaves Behind a Remarkable Legacy of Charity. People.Com; PEOPLE. https://people.com/dolly-parton-legacy-charity-12065985
MFYMH is so excited to announce that we are prepared to take on clients!
Clients can be seen through private pay, insurance including Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Carelon Behavioral Health, and Cigna, and some sliding scale spots.
Consultations can be booked through emailing us info@metalforyourmentalhealth.com with interest or through Headway for the current confirmed insurance plans.
We are still awaiting approval for MediCal programs within San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz. This is a priority and we are hopeful to be confirmed before the end of 2026.
For those who consider themselves a part of the metal community, we aren’t surprised at all by recent publications supporting the benefits of metal for metal listeners. Hearing that first song that felt like a change in your brain chemistry, channeling of all challenging feelings through singing, screaming, or air-instrumenting (if you will) to your favorite fast song, the joy of watching those songs played live amongst a sea of like-minded people, and making that quick friendship when you realize you have a favorite band in common because their t-shirt said so… It’s a euphoric experience.
For those who haven’t had that similar experience within metal and alternative music, that’s ok! I’d love to share more…
Metal music is an outlet for perceived “negative” feelings like anger, frustration, depression, chaos, and even violence. Listening to songs with such themes is a chance to express them in a safe and accepting environment. In most other spaces, shame is associated with those feelings because they are considered “bad”, yet, they are so common. Allowing for people to experience these normal feelings can be a relief. It is a myth that talking about these feelings promotes them. Rather, it is an opportunity to channel them and relinquish them. This can be done through just listening or the other ways metalheads enjoy their music like engaging in a mosh pit or headbanging. Through all of these emotional explorations, there is research to suggest that listening to metal music can actually release cortisol (a stress chemical) and support with focus and logic.
Contrary to the first point, metal music isn’t just about anger or aggressive themes, despite the suggestion with fast riffs and drum beats. Metal also largely focuses on history, sci-fi, religion, fantasy, politics, and mental health, even (just to name a few). So many themes can be explored within the context of a heavy and/or fast sound and tone.
Another common theme in metal is that of empowerment. Strength, victory, identity, and overcoming battles are just some of the ways in which one’s values are celebrated in metal. Many fans have expressed feeling better while chanting along to songs that celebrate someone’s positive self-regard or ability to rise above.
As mentioned earlier, the quick connections based on shared bands is an attractive quality of being a metal fan. In just a moment, you can see a familiar band tee or be singing along to a song with the person next to you at a show and bonding instantly begins. Prioritizing that common interest over any differences between the two people standing there exemplifies the open-mindedness of metalheads.
You can be or feel different than what is expected of you, but in the metal community, that’s wonderfully not unique to you.
Resources
Blott J (2021) High spirits: heavy metal and mental health.The Lancet Psychiatry, 8, 105-107
Scarlett, L. (2023, June 7). Psychologist says people that listen to heavy metal think more logically and are less stressed than those who don’t. Louder. https://bit.ly/45fI1N3
Whether in my personal or professional life, genuineness in relationships has been most important to me. In my professional life, I have found that therapy work is near impossible when a connection is not made. In my personal life, quality connection means everything to my social, emotional, and mental wellness.
One way I have connected to people has been largely through music; more specifically metal music. As a former teenager, I know what it’s like to experience social anxiety and low self-esteem which impacts ability to reach out to others. As an adult, I reflect on how beneficial it was to be able to connect with my peers about our shared interest in music.
The metal community was where I found my passion, my self-expression, and my chosen family. It was such a welcoming group with a focus on our mutual passion and values. As much as individuality is celebrated, there was also a certain open-mindedness; the only pressing differences between us often being: which was our favorite album of [insert band name].
What better way to utilize this self-disclosure as a “metalhead” and passionate music fan as a way to connect with clients who may take interest? When the MFYMH idea popped into my head, I realized that pursuing this idea would be most authentic to my personal and professional interests.
My mission is to reach clients interested in metal, rock, and alternative music as a way for us to connect. Furthermore to utilize all of this music’s positive qualities to benefit our own lives. Whether through individual counseling or the projected groups, I’d love for us to use music as a way to open the door and find our therapeutic relationship.
Beyond metal, if you are a music fan interested in utilizing your music interest in your therapy journey, I would love to connect for a consultation. On the same days, I listen to Metallica, you can also catch me listening to Backstreet Boys or Enya. I believe in the power of the music that moves you!
Thank you for reading.
– Zoë Sharkey, Founder & Executive Director of MFYMH
The above photo on this post features the author of this post and Founder of MFYMH, Zoë with Randy Blythe of Lamb of God.
