Therapy

Therapeutic Music or Music Therapy
Woman with wired headset relaxing on bed

Music therapy is indeed a powerful too. Music has the ability to calm the mind and sooth the soul.

Maybe you’ve heard the tale of King Saul in the Bible who was soothed by David’s music from his harp. There’s the old adage, “music calms the angry beast.” Every culture has rich musical traditions that are thought to have effects on someone’s mood. Following World War II, many hospitals hired musicians to work in the hospitals and formalize the practice of using music therapy. Many people use music in a therapeutic capacity, listening to favorite songs when they get off work and need a pick-me-up. Some use it at night for its calming effects.

What you may not know is how music is actually used in therapy, for patients with AIDS and HIV, in burn units, and in at-risk youth programs. Music Heals Charitable Foundation was formed to help raise awareness of how music heals. It’s a registered charity and supports many programs across British Columbia that use music to help people heal.

Music as a Healing Tool

Music is thought to help with coping skills and reduce emotional stress. Music therapists who have advanced training in music psychotherapy provide individualized sessions with patients to help them deal with life-altering diseases like cancer. Patients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries respond to music. Music therapy has been used to facilitate learning in children and youth with learning disabilities. There’s a sensory and intellectual stimulation by music that trained and certified therapists can accomplish that enriches a person’s life.

One program in the United States reaches out to active duty airmen who are on deployment. A music program is developed to foster coping skills and stress management while away from family in a high-stress situation. Those with PTSD are encouraged to use songwriting as a way of expressing their concerns. The research is continuing, because the results have been so positive.

In a case study issued by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), a six-year-old girl who could play the piano by ear was unable to interact well with others due to physical and developmental delays. She worked with an accredited music therapist and made significant progress in verbal skills, with her attention span and in her ability to follow directions. She plays the bells, chimes, autoharp, xylophone, keyboard and piano, even though she only has four fingers on each hand. The teachers at her school use her musical strengths to pull her into the group. Music therapy changed her life.

Music therapists believe that music therapy can change individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and the AMTA has made this research a “strategic priority.” There are a few studies that demonstrate the value of music therapy, but more is needed to really demonstrate the full effects. Music therapy is actually a fairly young discipline when compared to other types of psychotherapies. Music Heals is bringing this therapy to all types of vulnerable individuals in British Columbia. Although the organization only supports music therapy in the BC area, there are other opportunities across the country.

Music Therapy or Music Education

Music therapy is a recognized university degree. Only music therapy actually performed by an accredited music therapist is music therapy. Music education is very valuable, but it is not therapy. Someone bringing an instrument into a nursing home to perform might be a therapeutic and enjoyable activity for the residents, but it is not music therapy. When a credentialed therapist performs music therapy, it’s designed with a goal in mind. According to the AMTA, this therapy can reduce pain, reduce asthma episodes, and increase motor functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. It also lessens the effects of dementia in older adults.

The research supports the use of music in many environments to promote healing. Check out Music Heals to learn more and see how music can benefit the ones you love.

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Men Need Mental Health Wellness Too
Sad man sitting head in hands on his bed experiencing issues with his mental health.

Depression affects people in very different ways. Some experience sadness and emptiness, while others experience recklessness and anger.

In Darryl “DMC” McDaniels’ new book, “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide,” he discusses his history with mental health Issues, Depression, and addiction. He’s not alone in dealing with mental health issues. Jim Carrey has talked about his struggles with depression and addiction. Robin Williams ended his life in 2014, ostensibly due to mental illness. Former NHL player Theo Fluery has made no secret about his history with sexual abuse and mental health struggles. He said, “Reached out for help and my healing began.” Men are not immune from mental health diseases, but many men believe that seeking help is a sign of weakness. 

We all have bouts of sadness and times when we may not feel completely normal, which are all part of life’s normal ebbs and flows. Then, there are other times when you might struggle with mental health problems that can lead to serious consequences. Men, women and children can all experience mental illness, but symptoms can manifest themselves differently. When you can’t work, sleep, eat or have fun because of thoughts that are affecting your day-to-day life, don’t try and diagnose the problems on your own. A mental health professional is the only one who can truly determine if you’re suffering from depression, anxiety or another mental health issue. There’s no shame in getting help for a medical condition.

Symptoms of Depression

Most people associate a prolonged sadness or lack of interest in normal activities with depression, but there are many other symptoms that can manifest if you are depressed. You may be fatigued or have a loss of energy. Some people experience guilt and worthlessness or have problems concentrating. There might be a change in appetite or in your weight. Unfortunately, these symptoms could be from any number of health problems, not just mental health issues. To make things even more complicated, men may exhibit other symptoms that are not typically associated with depression. Some men feel physical pain or become angry. Researchers have even found that men who are depressed exhibit reckless behavior.

Depression is different for each person. Even within one individual, symptoms can vary in intensity over the course of the illness. Recognizing that there is a problem is the first step in treating the disease. There are many treatment options available. What works for one person may not be effective for another. Talk therapy is often very effective in stopping the progression of depression, but many people may need more intensive therapies or medication to find relief from the symptoms. Unlike an infection that goes away after a round of antibiotics, depression isn’t cured so easily. But it is treatable.

Help Is Available

The Canadian Mental Health Association has many resources if you’re dealing with mental illness in your family. Whether it’s you or a loved one, there are places where you can get help. Toronto is gearing up for a mental health conference in September, to discuss mental illnesses and addiction and how it affects all of us. The conference will feature more than 150 mental health experts from across the country who are coming together to create dialogue about changes in mental health. It is open to the public, but registration is required.

Advocates believe that speaking out about mental health issues is the only way to change public perception. Men have been taught to “suck it up” and just keep going on when things get tough, but depression isn’t going to go away by ignoring it. There is a stigma surrounding mental illness in our country. The only way to change that is to speak up and step out of the shadows. Men, especially, have to speak up and seek help.

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