Music interventions for refugees’ mental health

This is a summary of the peer-reviewed article: Enhancing the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers through music interventions by Tiago Horta Reis da Silva

The article discusses how music interventions can offer a non-verbal and culturally inclusive method for addressing the mental health challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.

Mental health needs of refugees

• Refugees experience traumatic events in their country of origin and during their journey to safety, making them prone to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Factors that negatively affect refugees’ mental health include conflict-related violence, fear, bereavement, grief, poverty, isolation, loss of support networks and acculturation.
• In their host country, refugees’ psychological distress is often exacerbated by uncertainty about their status, language barriers, prejudice and discrimination.
• Mental health services tend to be less accessible to refugees due to cultural and systemic barriers.

Benefits of music interventions

Music has been used therapeutically for centuries, providing comfort and emotional regulation. Activities such as listening to calming music, drumming or singing can alleviate stress, reduce symptoms of trauma-related disorders and promote relaxation.

Benefits of music interventions for enhancing the mental health of refugees include:

• Offering an outlet for emotional expression – music can help refugees process experiences and emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
• Accessing social support – group music activities with peers can promote camaraderie and solidarity, which is crucial for people who face isolation.
• Preserving cultural identity – music from their home country can help refugees maintain their cultural identity, fostering a sense of belonging.
• Fostering social inclusion – structured music activities combined with improvisation can foster a cross-cultural dialogue between refugees and the local community.

Role of mental health nurses

Mental health nurses have a crucial role in harnessing the therapeutic potential of music to support the emotional and social well-being of this vulnerable group. Mental health nurses can support the implementation of music interventions for refugees by:

• Developing cultural competence to ensure care is sensitive, inclusive and tailored to individual needs.
• Increasing awareness of the benefits of music interventions in alleviating symptoms of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.
• Assessing refugees’ mental health needs using a culturally sensitive tool.
• Incorporating music-based activities into refugees’ care plans, which can improve their engagement with services and adherence to treatment.
• Collaborating with health and social care professionals, music therapists and community organisations to expand access to music interventions for refugees.

Disclaimer
This summary was generated using an AI tool (ChatGPT) and checked via in-house editorial processes. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that we cannot guarantee this summary will be entirely error-free. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content and recommend referring to the original article.

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