In the 2019 film Midsommar, a poignant scene features actress Florence Pugh as she screams and cries uncontrollably, while the women from a nearby cult kneel beside her, echoing her pain in a communal display of catharsis. This dramatic portrayal is mirrored in real life by a rising wellness trend known as scream clubs. These gatherings offer participants an opportunity to channel pent-up frustration through collective screaming in a public setting, serving as a form of free therapy that allows for emotional release.
Emerging Trend: Scream Clubs Gain Popularity
Participants in these scream clubs express a variety of reasons for joining. Voices from a recent meetup in London captured sentiments such as, “I'm here because I work in the healthcare system,” “I'm here because men are often told to suppress emotions,” and “I just wanted to talk to someone and make friends.” The event attracted over 1,000 attendees within three days, following a TikTok invitation from 26-year-old Mona Sharif. After her psychologist recommended the practice in 2023, she experienced significant emotional relief after her first scream with a friend. “People are desperate to talk and find community. I gathered thousands from just one video,” Mona stated in an interview with Metro UK.
Inspiration from Chicago's Scream Club
Mona's initiative was influenced by the Chicago Scream Club, which began in June and has expanded to over ten U.S. locations, as well as one in Puerto Rico and the UK, amassing more than 10,000 Instagram followers. Founders Emanuel Hernandez, 41, and Elena Soboleva, 35, created this outlet after a challenging week led them to scream by a lake. They invited bystanders to join, which sparked the idea to formalize the club. “Some were crying, and that's when we realized we should start doing this,” Hernandez recalled.
Hernandez's background in breathwork—a method that promotes relaxation and emotional release—enhances the club's activities. He emphasizes the importance of conscious breathing to connect with one's nervous system, ultimately leading to emotional expression through screaming. “The screaming comes when you're in a heightened state during our reflective discussions,” he explained.
Health Benefits of Screaming
Psychologist Paola Diéguez affirms the effectiveness of this release method. “When a person screams, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and accumulated tension. Following this, the parasympathetic nervous system activates, providing a calming effect,” she noted. This physiological response leads to deeper breathing, lower heart rates, and a general sense of emotional tranquility.
Hernandez attributes the popularity of scream clubs to the taboo surrounding public screaming. “We've given people permission to break that societal norm,” he remarked. Soboleva added, “Our intention is to raise awareness about mental health, creating a necessary space for emotional release.”
A Diverse Community
Since launching its first event with just five participants, the Scream Club has seen attendance soar to nearly 200 people. Notable attendees include Spanish footballer Maitane López, currently playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC. In a viral Instagram post, she documented her experience at the Chicago club, calling it liberating. Participants range from children to seniors. One regular, a musician, found emotional relief through the exercise rather than just vocal practice, highlighting the transformative power of communal screaming.
Psychologist Diéguez elaborated, “People often carry unresolved emotions. Scream clubs allow participants to connect with those feelings and release emotions that have long been stored.”
Creative Forms of Emotional Release
With the growing recognition of the benefits of expressing emotions, alternative activities such as axe-throwing, breaking objects in rage rooms, and, of course, screaming, have become popular. Soboleva points out that skepticism often fades once individuals personally experience the change and positive impact on their nervous systems.
