As young people, we are living through one of the most challenging periods in recent history. The world is experiencing significant shifts in many areas, including changes in political systems and leadership, environmental challenges, financial instability, and changes in how money flows and how people manage their finances. Research conducted by Prof. Andrew Azzopardi in 2022 found that, in Malta, the majority of young people reported feeling overwhelmed by academic demands, social media pressures, and uncertainty about the future of Malta and the wider world. International reports by various organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), also indicated rising levels of loneliness, stress, and anxiety among adolescents worldwide (WHO, 2024). On a daily basis, young people have to juggle responsibilities such as school, work, and friendships, while also trying to understand who they are and where they are heading in life. Youth is experienced as a phase full of change, growth, and challenges, and many young people struggle with uncertainty. Questions such as “Who am I?” and “What do I want to do with my life?” often led to feelings of being lost, particularly when combined with societal pressures to succeed. Many young people feel that they are already under significant pressure due to the rapid changes they are experiencing, alongside additional external factors over which they have little or no control. All of this has a noticeable impact on their mental well-being, with some researchers even referring to mental health as the “Forgotten Epidemic” that is not being adequately addressed (Furukawa, 2019). The fast-paced lifestyle, increased use of social media, and growing academic and career demands have created additional stress for young people. This has led to an increase in mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and burnout (Tuten, 2024). These challenges were also evident within the youth groups involved in this project, where several young people openly spoke about the difficulties they were facing. Youth workers similarly reported observing these challenges both within their own groups and across other youth settings. Many young people expressed concerns related to school, relationships, and the pressure to meet expectations, often feeling unable to cope or keep up. They also reported lacking the necessary tools to manage their emotions effectively, and at times felt overwhelmed by their emotional experiences. These findings emerged from a small-scale research activity carried out among the youth groups forming the project consortium. This was where the project played a crucial role. It provided young people with a creative and practical approach to managing stress and improving mental health. Music was placed at the centre of the project, as it was recognised as a universal language that connected people, promoted calmness, and supported self-expression. Research showed that music could be an effective tool for emotional regulation, stress and anxiety management, and social connection (Shaw, 2022). These were just some of the many positive benefits associated with music. The main aim of the project was to use music as a tool to support young people in regulating their emotions, improving their mental well-being, and developing key competences such as communication, leadership, and self-awareness. The project also aimed to celebrate cultural diversity by allowing participants to explore different musical traditions from around the world. The specific goals of the project were: • To explore how music was used in different cultures as a means of well-being and connection. • To teach participants how to use music for stress relief and emotional regulation, and to demonstrate how different musical elements could influence emotions and feelings. • To provide opportunities for creativity and teamwork through collaborative musical activities. • To support the development of essential life skills while offering a safe space for self-expression. Music is something that young people are already engaged with daily. The project, therefore, aimed to make intentional use of a familiar and accessible tool to support participants’ mental and overall well-being.