Ukuleles, Adolescents, and Music Therapy
Jane sits in a chair facing her mother. Neither are able to look each other in the eye because of the pain and hurt that they continue to stuff below the surface. They have both shown up for therapy - individual and group multi-family therapy. They have taken steps that many others don’t dare take. After the hour session unfolds and with help from the therapist in the room, Jane is able to look directly into her mother’s eyes and tell her that she feels like she’s never enough no matter how hard she tries. Her grades, her accomplishments in sports, her looks, and the list goes on.
With tears streaming down their faces, Jane and her mom begin to unpack the misunderstood feelings and hurt that is never spoken of. It is one of many more moments to come that Jane will have with her mother in working through unresolved hurt and rejection.
By the Numbers
This is only one of numerous similar stories of adolescents we see every day who are hurting and are needing to be seen, heard, and loved. According to Youth Suicide Statistics on Jason Foundation’s website:
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college-age youth and youth ages 12-18.
Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 3,069 [suicide] attempts by young people grades 9-12.
Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.
(source: Jason Foundation Parent Resource Program)
Teens Struggling with Trauma and Mental Health Conditions
Presenting to the board of the Redlands Bowl Associates
Anxiety, depression, suicide, abuse…these are real issues facing our teens today, and I have had the opportunity to sit in a room with adolescents going through these unimaginable challenges. Once a week I go to the Loma Linda Behavioral Health Institute and provide music therapy to students in the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). When I began observing, I had no idea what to expect, and now as I go in weekly to work with the students, I am blown away by the honesty and insight that they share with each other. They have become their own tight community, and they will fight for and defend each other because they know what it’s like to feel depressed and want to die because life feels too dark and hopeless.
The Associates of the Redlands Bowl have made this opportunity a reality for me, and I am grateful to them for it. Those who follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook see that I work with a variety of populations, much of my time currently spent with the senior population - memory care and hospice. For the next six weeks I am working with the IOP, providing music therapy once a week for adolescents in the program. The therapists have graciously welcomed me and allowed me to join them in their efforts to bring students and their families to a place of closer connection, openness, and improved mental health.
Music As Therapy
How does music therapy provide a tool for emotional catharsis and expression? So far I have just been able to spend time getting to know the students and showing them how to play the ukulele. Some are overjoyed and couldn’t love it more, and others are easily frustrated when they don’t experience instant results. Either way, students are getting a sensory, tactile, hands-on experience with an instrument that allows for creative and emotional expression. Not only will they play the ukulele in music therapy with me once a week, but when they graduate from the program in 4-6 weeks, they get to take the instrument and binder of resources home with them!
I am four weeks into the program, and the students are getting the hang of playing the instrument. I’m excited to move past the basics of the instrument and start working on songwriting with the students. I would love to see them leave the program and have even more coping skills as a result of our music therapy sessions - whether it’s simply playing the instrument to unwind, writing music to creatively express themselves, or have a physical reminder of the progress that they made while in the Intensive Outpatient Program.
Jane and her mother may have a long way to go, but they are starting the process that will lead to greater connection, closeness, and love. There is hope!