Room 217 is pleased to partner with McMaster University Health Sciences to provide a research practicum for students each year in music and care. This blog was written by one of those students.

In today’s fast-paced world, people from all walks of life, including children, university students, and working adults, experience a great deal of stress and anxiety, affecting their mental well-being and overall quality of life. Unfortunately, mental health still remains overlooked. Yet, it profoundly impacts how we think, feel, and interact with our environment. According to a report by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, each year, one in five children experience some form of diagnosable mental health condition, with many more children experiencing milder but still significant emotional and behavioural problems. Therefore, prioritizing mental health is just as important as caring for our physical well-being. Parents and early educators play vital roles in nurturing children’s mental health and well-being, as well as equipping them with essential skills to cope with challenging times.

Mental health issues can affect children at any age and manifest differently for each individual. However, there are situations that place some children at greater risk than others, such as coming from marginalized backgrounds like children of immigrants, refugees, and indigenous families, or having experienced or witnessed trauma and abuse. As such, there are many ways to approach nurturing mental well-being from a young age, such as building safe home environments, stable relationships, and teaching children problem-solving skills. However, one of the most nuanced and valuable tools in this realm is the use of music. The great thing about music is that it is an effective non-pharmacological intervention with minimal to no side effects. Beyond its harmonious melodies and lively rhythms, music holds the power to impact mental well-being by offering avenues for stress reduction and emotional expression. Scientifically, music activate the brain in several beneficial ways. It triggers the release of dopamine, a molecule that boosts feelings of overall well-being. It also stimulates the limbic system, which is responsible for functions of emotional processing. As a university student dealing with high-stress situations regularly, I create curated playlists to express and cope with my inner state of being. For instance, I have calm ballad playlists that reflect my feelings of emptiness or sadness, as well as upbeat pop playlists for when I want to hype myself up.

Children can be perceived as overly energetic. While this is typically considered normal and healthy. It is also important for them to learn to regulate their energy levels as they mature. Fortunately, music serves as an effective tool for this purpose, eliminating the meltdown that follows an initial unsuccessful verbal attempt to tell them to “calm down.” Research has shown that children respond positively to slow, relaxing, and low-pitched music during periods of distress and overstimulation. If you’ve ever sung a lullaby to a crying baby, you can imagine how soothing and calming this type of music can be for them. This strategy can be used both in anticipation of and in response to stressful situations. For educators, it could involve playing calming music after a stressful math quiz. For parents, it might mean playing similar music before bedtime or during a long car ride. You can explore this approach using a curated playlist from Jooki, a company specializing in creating safe and accessible audio content for children. Generally, songs that are predictable and repetitive are more effective in promoting sleep and relaxation. However, factors such as age, culture and individual preferences can influence which songs are most effective for each child.

Moreover, music can help children in articulating and managing a wide range of emotions they might experience for the first time, such as feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or upset. Since music is a non-verbal medium, it can bridge the gap in emotional expression for children who have not yet mastered their language skills. Listening to music allows children to be in touch with their emotions and connect with the feelings conveyed in the song through its tone, tempo, pitch, and lyrics without needing to actively articulate them. Furthermore, singing and moving along to songs offer an additional outlet for children to respond to their emotions. Singing engages both the body and mind, helping with the release of tension and pent-up energy. It serves as a form of self-expression, allowing children to safely and creatively express their emotions. A child’s ability to manage their emotions is closely linked to their immediate and long-term mental health and well-being.

With that said, the key aspect of music is its accessibility and enjoyment for everyone, in all forms. Whether it is through formal music education or simply listening to the latest tunes, integrating music into a child's life can significantly contribute to their mental health and well-being. While it may not address all of a child's mental health needs, it is crucial for educators and parents to encourage and support the various ways in which a child can engage with and connect through music.