{Research Made Real} Mental Health Matters!

This is part of a series that makes music therapy research more accessible to everyone. In each post, we will highlight some of the recent research being done in various areas of the field. Is there a topic you would like to read about in the next Research Made Real? Let us know!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health covers a wide range of topics, from ADHD to Bipolar to Anxiety to Depression. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in America experience some form of mental illness each year. This is about 43.8 million people. Although there are so many people who are effected by mental illness, there is still a large stigma associated with these disorders and those who live with them every day. This stigma can effect those who have a mental illness in different ways, and most times in ways that we cannot see. Some of these symptoms, as a result, can be invisible to those who know the individual and even those who treat them. A few of the symptoms that can go unnoticed are self-concept, self-esteem, and quality of life. Positive psychology has been shown to be an effective way to address these symptoms and can be incorporated into music therapy. Today we want to share some information from a recent study about how music therapy can help with this.

Music therapy and positive psychology share many concepts that make them a good treatment model. Positive psychology is an approach that, instead of focusing on functional problems, focuses on identifying and growing the characteristics and strengths the individual has that allow them to be happier and more fulled in their everyday lives. This focuses on many aspects of wellness, including identity, hope, optimism, and self acceptance. These have been reflected in music therapy as well, with early scholars discussing the positive experiences that music is able to provide for those with a variety of limitations as well as having in the standards of practice that music therapist’s focus on the strengths along with the limitations of clients. Music therapy is able to uniquely address both the wellness and clinical goals for those with mental illness, as music (and engaging with the music) can create a safe and affirming environment to grow new awareness, understanding, and skills. Through the act of music making with others, those with mental illness are able to participate in shared experiences that help to grow there sense of belonging, safety, and relationship. In the words of the researcher, “music is not a ‘tool’ to be ‘used’ to help people with mental illness, but instead is an international experience of being human.” Music is able to bring us together in shared experiences, no matter our backgrounds, to play and learn together. We can address the feelings of disconnection, loss of self, and increase self esteem through the use of both music and positive psychology techniques.

When addressing mental illness, we need to focus more on the wellness of the individual and community. Music therapy is able to focus on these wellness goals, and help to build self esteem and interpersonal skills that will translate into community relationships. Building a community of support and having a group of people that you can rely on is important to continue to grow a positive self concept and maintain a good quality of life.

If you or someone you love would like more information about mental health, and where to get help, check out the NAMI website. They have lots of good educational information, as well as ways to find help in your area. Do you want some more information about how music therapy could help you or someone else with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders? We would love to talk with you! Give us a call at (240) 394-9399 or email Darcy at darcy@noteableprogressions.com.

Sources:

Mental Health By the Numbers. (2016).  http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers

Jackson, N. A. (2015). Music therapy and chronic mental illness: Overcoming the silent symptoms. Music Therapy Perspectives, 33(2), 90-96