Chosen by Monk
The Lancaster punk rockers strike a timely note as they mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week with this rallying call about not only reaching out for help but being there to help friends in need of something as simple as a shoulder to lean on…
Guitarist and singer Rich Davenport says of the single:
Most of our songs are about getting through difficult times, but here’s no point in just writing about that for its own sake and leaving the listener down there.
I’ve been very thankful to have friends who’ve stuck by me during low points, and it’s important to pay that forward, so the song is about trying to do that, having someone’s back when they feel so overwhelmed they want to throw in the towel, standing by them till they come out the other side.
Sometimes you can feel isolated when you’re struggling like that, but there are organisations like the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) that can really help – their website thecalmzone.net has a helpline, and lots of guides and information on depression, anxiety, loneliness, work stress, eating disorders, grief, money worries, and other areas too. They also have an app.
Roughly one in four people struggle with their mental health at some point, and organisations like CALM can really help if you’re in that position, or are worried about someone else who’s struggling.
There are, of course, literally dozens of organizations, most of whom operate on a voluntary basis, who can help in times of need. For fans in ÜR’s home territory of Northern Ireland, we would recommend the folks at Metal For Life, who are deeply invested in the music and the scene.