Dödskarusellen Tour Combines Metal Music and Mental Health Awareness Across Sweden

A new initiative, Dödskarusellen, is touring Sweden this spring, blending metal music performances with vital mental health awareness activities. Initiated by Studiefrämjandet and the band Abandon Agony, the tour aims to reduce stigma around mental health in the music community through a series of one-day festivals that merge live music with lectures, discussions, and support resources. The events will take place in Malmö, Göteborg, Trollhättan, and Örebro, featuring bands such as The Unguided, Laid To Rest, and Siture.

Originating from the 2023 national music tour Livekarusellen, Dödskarusellen emphasizes collaboration over competition to strengthen community bonds. Partnering with mental health groups like Hjärnkoll Örebro län and Hjälplinjen, each stop will include discussions led by Erik Widlund from Hjärnkoll, providing education and direct support. Johan Hedström of Abandon Agony highlighted that music acts as a unifying force capable of addressing challenging topics openly.

Part of the broader #ViBryterStigmat initiative by Studiefrämjandet, Dödskarusellen also plans to extend beyond metal music into other genres and gaming culture, promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention more widely. This effort reflects a growing recognition within Sweden’s cultural scenes of the importance of mental well-being and community support.