Research indicates that music therapy is effectively being used in mental health care as a treatment for depression to reduce stress and anxiety, diminish negative symptoms, promote relaxation, motivate, reduce social isolation and facilitate group cohesion. Applied in various mental healthcare settings (e.g. hospitals, day treatment centres, psychiatric units, community-based programmes) and by focusing on here-and-now experiences, music therapy interventions provide a creative and supportive environment for clients to feel heard and engage with others through their own creativity. In community settings, music therapy programmes focus on systematic interventions, for the treatment of depression, in order to build networks and provide symbolic means for underprivileged individuals, while also increasing mental health awareness. This intervention is also being used where talking therapies are considered inappropriate, for example where depression is secondary to severe personality disorder (Maratos & Gold, 2003). Using a variety of methods, approaches and techniques, music therapists aim to assist clients in achieving their best potential by encouraging them to take control of their lives and participating actively in the community they belong to.
Music therapy, by offering a non-intrusive and non-judgmental space for creative participation, focuses on the client’s overall potential by promoting personal insight, psychological growth and change. Through this structured intervention, the client is given the opportunity to actively participate, express their inner feelings, learn coping strategies and manage some of their symptoms (Edwards, 2006). Applied in group settings, music therapy can be an effective treatment of depression as it provides an environment of understanding, acceptance, cohesion, trust, mutual respect, support and enjoyment, promoting social interaction, where clients use musical elements freely to build relationships. People who are suffering from mental health problems may often find difficulty in expressing their emotions and experiences verbally. Thus, the use of a non-verbal medium with which people have prior positive associations, offers the opportunity for emotions to be expressed and offers a starting point for individuals to be listened to and gain support from the therapist and other group members.
It is estimated that there are over 400,000 people in Ireland currently suffering from depression but many hide their depression and never get help. Sadly, over 500 people take their own life each year (Aware, 2009). Music therapy is being sought and accessed for the treatment of depression as a complement or alternative to pharmacological or other psychological therapies. As music is a powerful form of self expression, it can be used to alter one’s mood and bring about change to individuals who suffer from depression. A central goal of the music therapist is often to improve negative symptoms such as poor social relationships, loss of interest and motivation for life and to decrease affective blunting and flattening. A study published in the Cochrane review in 2009 entitled ‘Music Therapy for Depression’ found that four of the five studies individually reported greater reduction in symptoms of depression, while also the dropout rates from music therapy conditions appeared to be low in all five studies. Based on the efficacy of music to activate subconscious emotions, music therapy is thus a creative way to promote self awareness, acknowledge aspects of the self and face the mental health problem, while also promote self esteem and feelings of freedom. Experienced in the immediate place and time, music improvisation becomes therefore the symbolic medium for clients to re-establish contact with their own inner voice and experiences. Music therapy is being successfully used in the treatment of depression in many community based programmes and mental health clinics throughout the world.
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