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Listen
Well? Issue 4: Spring/Summer 2004
Arts and Culture
Supporting Positive Mental Health
The National Programme is involved in a number of initiatives to promote the benefits of culture, arts and sport in supporting people with mental health problems.
The role of culture, arts and sport is recognised as contributing to two key policy areas in mental health:
in raising awareness about mental health, contributing to positive mental health and well-being and in helping to address stigma and discrimination
in playing an important role in supporting people's recovery from mental health problems.
Furthermore, the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it the responsibility of local authorities (and their partners in Health) to provide services designed to promote well-being and social development for people with mental health problems and this includes services which provide social, cultural and recreational activities.
The National Programme is providing support in a number of areas, including:
a two-year programme of activities with the Scottish Arts Council
work with the Edinburgh International Festival to support a major mental health educational project prior to, and during, this year's festival in both Glasgow and Edinburgh
Funding for a three-year national project on Arts, Arts Therapies, Creativity and Mental Health, developed and managed by the Mental Health Foundation Scotland and the Scottish Arts Therapies Forum.
Music Therapy for Young People
Tamsin Mendelsohn is a music therapist who completed a pilot project last July in the Young People's Unit of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. As Tamsin explains, music therapy is all about the creative use of improvised music in a safe, confidential environment:
"What makes music therapy different from other music projects is that there is no teaching or performance involved. The aim is to offer people a safe place to express and explore their feelings through music, without the need for words. This can be extremely helpful for people who find it difficult to articulate painful or complex emotions."
"Through the music improvisation process they can be helped to become aware of their feelings"
Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 attended group or individual sessions over a period of weeks and were invited to create their own music using a variety of instruments such as guitars, xylophones, harps and drums, and percussion instruments from Africa, Tibet and Mexico.
"Many of the young people taking part have had to deal with some very difficult experiences in their lives. They may suffer from psychoses, depression or eating disorders. Through the music improvisation process they can be helped to become aware of their feelings, explore different ways of relating to people such as listening or taking the lead, or experiment with taking risks within the safety of music. It's also an accessible way for people to have fun together when other activities may be too difficult during a mental health illness."
Changes in the work were evaluated over the nine-month period with positive benefits found in raising young people's self-esteem and confidence, as well as the ability to accept themselves and be supported during a time of illness.
Art and music therapies are currently used in other departments of the Lothian Primary Care Trust with a variety of client groups.
Further information contact
Simon Willoughby-Booth
Advisor for the Arts Therapies,
t: 0131-537-6152
The Association for Professional
Music Therapists
www.apmt.org.uk
Let's hear it 4 Live + Loud!
Scotland's national popfest, Live and Loud, is at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 June 2004. Sponsored by NHS Health Scotland, the music festival will promote positive health messages alongside bands such as
Blue, Sugababes, Jamelia and
Michelle McManus.
t:0870 013 4030
www.liveandloud.info
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