Groups of people, often in cities, are meeting to experience connection and find new ways to deal with the pressures of modern life.

Communities of mostly young people from London, UK, to Minneapolis, US, are forming clubs where they meet to scream for a few seconds at a time.

Spa Business predicted a democratisation of this kind of scream therapy last year in its 2024 Spa Foresight Trends on page 17.

Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa in the UK was highlighted as an early adopter of this kind of “wild wellness”, offering guests the opportunity to release pent-up emotions and alleviate stress by screaming in the property’s 400-acre woodland.

By creating free social clubs in cities, participants experience community, connection, vulnerability and a cathartic release of emotions.

The Guardian recently reported on the experiences of participants of London Scream Club.

Designed as a third space for women to release what they have “been holding in – and actually connect while doing it,” the members meet in Hyde Park in London for a multitude of reasons.

Members described joining the club to tackle loneliness without spending money, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and overcoming social anxiety by sharing experiences with strangers.

Accessing mental health support in the UK can entail lengthy National Health Service (NHS) waiting lists and paying to see a therapist can be expensive. Some scream club members believe their cathartic community screaming helps them to decompress and relieve some of the pressure.

London Scream Club’s safety rules involve being aware of the effects of breathwork and screaming on your body, such as dizziness and lightheadedness. Participants are advised to stay hydrated, respect their bodies’ limits and never come to the club after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.