Scream Clubs Spread Across the US as Stress Relief

Chapters have popped up in 17 cities in less than a year, offering a unique way to release tension and build community.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:30pm

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Scream Clubs have been emerging across the United States, providing people a space to vocally release their frustrations and stresses. The first chapter started in Chicago when a couple, Manny Hernandez and Elena Soboleva, were walking along Lake Michigan and decided to scream together to work through relationship challenges. Since then, 17 more chapters have opened in cities like Austin, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Detroit, and San Juan. The Scream Club sessions typically involve writing down what participants want to release, vocal warmups, and then collective screaming into a body of water, followed by throwing the papers into the water.

Why it matters

The Scream Club movement taps into the growing need for accessible mental health support and stress relief. While the scientific evidence on the long-term benefits of primal scream therapy is mixed, the act of screaming has been shown to engage the brain's emotional processing centers and activate the body's stress response system, providing an immediate sense of calm and catharsis. Beyond the physical release, the social aspect of gathering with others to collectively express frustrations is also valuable for building community.

The details

Scream Club meetings are held weekly or monthly in parks or near bodies of water to minimize disturbance to the surrounding area. The sessions begin with participants writing down what they want to release on biodegradable paper, followed by deep breathing exercises and vocal warmups. Then, the group screams together three times, taking deep breaths in between, before throwing their papers into the water.

  • The first Scream Club chapter started in Chicago in 2025.
  • In less than a year, 17 additional chapters have opened across the US.

The players

Manny Hernandez

Co-founder of the first Scream Club chapter in Chicago, a breath-work practitioner and men's coach.

Elena Soboleva

Co-founder of the first Scream Club chapter in Chicago, Hernandez's partner.

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What they’re saying

“We looked at each other and said, 'This is probably something that we should start.'”

— Manny Hernandez, Co-founder, Scream Club

“I had such a sense of feeling grounded. In that same moment, all your senses are heightened.”

— Amber Walcker, Scream Club participant

What’s next

As the Scream Club movement continues to grow, organizers are exploring ways to expand the model and potentially partner with mental health professionals to further study the benefits of the practice.

The takeaway

Scream Clubs offer a unique and accessible way for people to relieve stress and build community, tapping into the brain's natural stress response systems. While the long-term mental health impacts are still being researched, the immediate sense of catharsis and calm provided by these sessions highlights the value of finding creative outlets to express and process difficult emotions.