<i>Where words fail, music speaks</i> : the impact of participatory music on the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers
Author(s):
Caroline Lenette
Donna Weston
Patricia Wise
Naomi Sunderland
Helen Bristed
Publication Year:
2015
Type:
journal article
Journal/Book Title
Arts & Health
Publisher
Editor(s):
Pages:
125-139
Volume:
8
Issue:
2
Abstract:
There is growing evidence that participatory music can be supportive and empowering for marginalised, culturally diverse populations. Amid largely hostile reception of asylum seekers in Australia, a group of music facilitators regularly attends an Immigration Transit Accommodation facility to share music and singing activities with detained asylum seekers, to counter significant mental and emotional distress resulting from indefinite detention. Methods: This paper outlines the key themes of a narrative analysis, from a health and wellbeing perspective, of music facilitators’ monthly written observations recorded in 2012. Results: By drawing on examples from observational narratives, we outline a framework that suggests links between music and singing, and the health and wellbeing of detained asylum seekers. The framework includes four intertwined concepts: (1) Humanisation, (2) Community, (3) Resilience, and (4) Agency. Conclusions: The framework suggests the potential for participatory music to counter the significant impact of traumatic experiences and detention on asylum seekers’ health and wellbeing.
Citation (Chicago Author-Date):
Lenette, Caroline, Donna Weston, Patricia Wise, Naomi Sunderland, and Helen Bristed. 2015. “Where Words Fail, Music Speaks : The Impact of Participatory Music on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Asylum Seekers.” Arts & Health 8 (2): 125–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2015.1037317.