Music Therapy and Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental health is an important factor in how we make many of our life choices. Everyone experiences positive and negative emotions throughout their life, and whatever emotion someone is currently experiencing factors into their life choices being made. To be an emotionally healthy person, we need to be able to identify and cope with both positive and negative emotions.

Here at Edge Water, we work with many clients on their emotional health. But how does music therapy help with this? Well, let me tell you! 

Music is processed in multiple areas of the brain. So today, let’s talk about the Amygdala and the Hippocampus. Two very important areas of the brain that are responsible for processing emotions and regulating your emotional responses. Since music also activates these areas, music therapists address non-musical goals and objectives through music; however, not just any music. We use evidenced-based therapeutic techniques to help individuals process emotions, increase emotional regulation, identify coping skills, and so much more! Music Therapists use patient preferred music in ways such as: lyric analysis, improvisation, song writing, music and relaxation, music and movement, and instrument play. Using these therapeutic techniques is motivating and engaging for individuals of all ages wanting and needing to address their mental health needs.

It’s important to know that mental health conditions are real and valid. They need to be addressed just like other physical conditions. Mental health conditions can include: Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, ADHD, and so much more. Also, mental health conditions are more common than people often think. Here are some statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.“

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions

If you or a loved one have a mental illness or any mental health needs, please know that you are not alone. Help is available! If you think music therapy could be beneficial or if you have any questions, please contact us!