That’s right, with a curated list at your fingertips, you’ll be able to access top-notch new and original content in the form of dedicated podcasts and music playlists, created in partnership with CALM, podcast creators, CALM Ambassadors, and familiar faces from music and entertainment.
Whether it’s head bopping to a great beat or tuning in to a podcast on our daily jog, research shows that listening has a positive effect on our mood. In preparation for creating the Mental Health Awareness Week Hub, Spotify conducted a bit of research among 2,000 people in the UK, to look at the relationship between audio and mental health. It found 88% of people use music to help improve their mood and overall mental well-being, with 40% saying they have increasingly turned to music and podcasts to help them navigate and cope with anxieties and mental health struggles during lockdown.
Here’s what CALM CEO, Simon Gunning had to say:
“In these uncertain times, many people are feeling the impact of lockdown, and needing our helpline services more than ever. However, music and audio can have an incredible effect to calm, unite and connect us, even when we cannot be together. By teaming up with Spotify we hope to provide some light relief and help people take a break from all that's happening, whilst opening up the conversation about mental health and reminding them that we are here should they need us”. - CALM CEO, Simon Gunning
Wanna know the sort of stuff you’ll find? You’re in the right place:
- Spotify’sWake Up / Wind Down podcasts, hosted by Niall Breslin, will be helping listeners through their day with the newly launched Daily Wellness - a mix of music and podcasts.
- Enjoy ‘unadulterated girl talk with no filter’ podcast The Receipts, with hosts Audrey, Tolani, and Milena.
- Spotify’s Who We Be playlist, the UK’s most popular hip hop, afrobeat, dancehall and R&B playlist will be dedicated to this year’s theme of ‘kindness’ - with playlist story video contributions from Tinie Tempah, Ray BLK, Ms Banks, Che Lingo, Harry Pinero and more
- A bespoke episode of Killing It, a podcast that investigates mental health in the music industry, will feature host British musician, writer, actor and CALM ambassador Jordan Stephens talking mental health with CALM CEO Simon Gunning
- The Daily Pep! - the rebel-rousing, daily podcast for courage makers, creative, multi-passionate and unconventional women - will see host Meg Kissack speaking with presenter and model Shareefa J.
Here’s what Spotify had to say about teaming up with CALM for the Mental Health Awareness Week Hub.
“At Spotify, we know first hand the power of audio to enhance mood, so it’s no surprise to us that this latest research shows people are looking to music and podcasts to aid their mental wellbeing. Listening has the ability to lift us up, make us laugh, bring our memories to life and help us feel connected with others. Through our partnership with CALM, we hope to help create further awareness about Mental Health Awareness Week and the incredible work CALM continues to do. We hope to play our role in encouraging more people to talk freely and openly about mental health, which has never been more important than it is right now". - Tom Connaughton, Spotify UK and Ireland Managing Director
Whatever type of audio lifts your mood, we know you’ll love the Spotify Mental Health Awareness Week Hub as much as we do. Get listening!
Get support
Need support? Worried about someone? CALM’s helpline and webchat are open daily 5pm-midnight. Get access here.
Have you been affected by suicide? The Support After Suicide Partnership is a hub for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, where you can find emotional and practical support.