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Implementing Music for Mental Health: Strategies for College Wellness

By Katelyn Perritano

How and Why Can Music Be Used for Mental Health?

Music is a therapeutically beneficial and an easily accessible tool that should be more discussed and used in improving mental health, particularly in college students who have high stress levels. Mental health is a topic that has gained more recognition in recent years as it has become less of a taboo to mention. College students especially face high levels of stress and depression, but often don’t seek out help. There are several means of help and support and they can come in many forms, one of which is music. This paper is directed towards college wellness centers and aims to provide an overview on mental health in college students. I plan to highlight music as a tool for improving mental health, and showcase opportunities and strategies for implementing music therapy methods both in student wellness centers and in daily student life. 

Current research on the subject states that “In 2020–21, more than 60% of students met criteria for one or more mental health problems, a nearly 50% increase from 2013.”(Minds, Supporting Learners). This information is further backed by the Healthy Minds Study which provides percentages on students suffering from different mental health challenges, including, but not limited to depression (Inscore). Mental health, particularly in college students, is a growing issue that needs to be addressed, something that can be done by campus wellness services. As students are adjusting to adulthood, facing academic pressures, navigating jobs, and dealing with finances, they face greater levels of mental health difficulties. These mental health issues include depression, anxiety, etc. and are stated to impact a person’s ability to focus and therefore maintain academic success. Because of the higher levels of stress students face, they are more likely to have worse attendance for classes, not complete coursework, and even drop out of college (Minds, Supporting Learners). In fact, a survey by Inside Higher Ed and  Generation Lab “ found 43 percent of college students say stress is impacting their ability to focus, learn and perform well academically” (Mowreader). A collaborative study on graduate students further demonstrates this stress as throughout the article, the high levels of daily stress experienced by college, and particularly graduate students is highlighted. The main stressors include exams, finances, and work, but there are many other factors such as curriculum and ethical issues that can also play into the mental health and psychology of students (Pan).

Inside Higher Ed goes on to provide information on how college campuses can encourage students to seek help as well as provide the support they need. Many students don’t seek help for mental health issues; this can be due to affordability, fear of judgement from friends or family, a desire to handle their problems themselves, or a lack of knowledge on resources available (Minds, Supporting Learners).  University Wellness Centers work to help relieve some of the college stress, but if students don’t seek it out the benefits are not reaped by those who need it. Campus services can offer more options that are easily accessible for students who are not as comfortable with the standard therapeutic methods, or those who want to manage their stress without professional help. 

The current definition of music therapy as a term states it is “a health profession that can only be implemented by individuals with specific qualifications determined by governmental, professional, or educational bodies” (Aigen 4). However, music as a tool for mental health has a rich history that according to Doman in his Ted Talk goes back to group survival. Playing music with others meant you were part of a group, and being part of a group meant a higher chance of survival (Doman). There has also been research done regarding wounded veterans showing faster recovery rates both mentally and even physically when musicians performed for them (Peralta). One commonality the research backs is that music is an easily accessible way to relieve stress and be integrated into daily life. In a society where technology is constantly expanding, people have access to music at any time just by using their phone. So, those looking to implement music into their lives can do so at any time and on their own time. In the article “Can Music Improve Our Health and Quality of Life?”, author Lorrie Kubicek provides an overview of different ways to engage with music that can be beneficial to mental health. It is stated that not one strategy works for all. However, all the strategies mentioned have been shown to be successful. The top  tools listed in the article are: listening to music, which can help with the release of emotions; learning or playing an instrument, which engages the brain and reduces pain by providing distraction; and finally, singing, which has proven physical and emotional benefits. All of these methods can improve quality of life as they allow the participant or patient to connect with emotions as well as others, find motivation, and shift moods (Kubicek). 

Music therapy is a recognized tool that implements some of these interventions as well as others like songwriting and playlist creation to decrease anxiety and even pain (such as in cancer patients or veterans as previously stated). Listening, singing, dancing, etc. are all tools that can be easily added to daily life as they don’t require an extended period of time to be effective. The study discussed in the article “Effect of Music Intervention on Depression in Graduate Students” was used to determine if listening to music can be used in reducing mental health difficulties, such as depression. The study involved a controlled setting with 56 participants aged 23-30 (average 25) coming once a week to a music college in China to listen to music for 30 minutes. Overall, the tests revealed that those in the music group showed lower and continually declining depression scores over the 13 week period (though significant results took about 5 weeks) compared to those in a non-music group. The emphasis of the article was to bring attention to music therapy and use of music in reducing depression. Music is shown to be an effective strategy due to its effect on human emotions which causes engagement of the limbic system when music is being processed. Just 30 minutes once a week was enough to show visible improvement. Knowing this, wellness centers can help to organize events such as karaoke, group dance classes, music based exercise sessions, or simply share information on how music is beneficial, this way students don’t have to seek professional help if they are uncomfortable or unable to do so, but they can still engage more deeply with music and recognize or understand its benefits.

Of course, there are critiques of music as a therapeutic tool. The book Psychological Health Effects of Musical Experiences offers information on both the positive and negative effects of music on the brain and the body. The book begins with an explanation of stress and how music therapy and music in general can alleviate that stress, but also amplify it in some cases. Author Theorell Torës discusses how different genres of music and different songs may stir old memories or past trauma and discomfort. But, he also acknowledges that this depends on the individual and on the context. In most cases, music regulates the heart rate and offers a sense of relief or a distraction that allows listeners to feel more relaxed. Another negative to music also stems from the emotional response it elicits. Music is a highly emotional and personal experience but, due to the natural emotional responses that occur for different genres and songs, it is possible for musical manipulation to occur. As Torës puts it “That music can be used for manipulation is very clear when we consider the use of music in advertisements and commercial movies” (Torës 25). While musical manipulation can occur due to how present music is in daily life, the benefits of music outweigh the risk. Also, this is just all the more reason why people should be given information on how to best engage with music to improve mental health. If people are informed on the risks of music as a tool for manipulation they can better acknowledge their reactions to songs and understand when someone may be trying to influence them. 

Having viewed a range of sources on the growing effects of mental health on college students, the hesitance to seek help, and the ways in which music has been implemented as a therapeutic tool, I feel that music is therapeutically beneficial and provides a great way to improve one’s well-being. Music therapy as the current term is defined requires a professional, and I feel that professionals are still important as they can best guide an individual through different encounters and through engagement with music to improve their mental health. Yet, it is not the only option. What makes music an effective therapy for college students, and the reason that school wellness centers should work to encourage music engagement, is that it is highly effective while also being very accessible. Music not only connects to a person's emotions, helping them to experience a healthy release of pent up emotions, but it also has a physical effect on the brain that improves mental health. The article Why is Music Good for the brain? is an overview regarding the results of a survey conducted by AARP. The survey was in regard to brain health and its relation to music and asked participants to rate their overall brain health and amount of exposure to music as a child. People were separated by whether they actively attended musical performances then asked to rate their brain health, and results showed that individuals with both a higher level of exposure as a child and those who actively engaged with music performances had a higher rate of happiness. Those who didn’t have childhood exposure but who currently listen to music also showed higher levels of mental well-being than average. The article goes on to highlight how music engages many different parts of the brain including the temporal lobe, motor system, a variety of memory regions, etc. Author Budson then goes on to explain the importance of this brain activity, stating it keeps brain networks strong, which further promotes mental well-being, cognition, and happiness. Finally, the article relates the accessibility of music, emphasizing that active listening or even background music both have proven benefits and combining music with activities like dance, zumba, aerobics, etc. will maximize the benefits music provides in uplifting moods and increasing well-being (Budson). As music stimulates neural pathways and engages the brain it improves mental health in more than just stress relief. It can actually help with memory recall, focus, and concentration as the brain is able to be more engaged. 

Furthermore, music has other physical effects such as lowering cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone, releasing endorphins to help with pain relief, as well as releasing dopamine to make a person feel happier. By lowering heart rate and engaging the brain, music calms the body, helping to reduce stress and improve the lives of those experiencing depression, anxiety, etc. It also can provide a social connection as well as motivation as people can engage with others and connect over music. They also receive physical benefits when engaging in things such as dance, something that further can make them healthier physically and mentally or emotionally. The ability to evoke emotions and release any pent up feelings works the same way a typical therapy session would but works through the medium of music to provide a different option and allow for a strong connection. As stated before though, there can be negatives to the extreme emotions that music can draw out. The article “Music Therapy Risks: Potential Drawbacks and Considerations for Patients” addresses some of the risks, challenges, or drawbacks that come with music therapy. These risks can be psychological and emotional. The article states that such risks can include bringing up past trauma through the music or causing emotional flooding as the music taps directly into a person’s emotions. Such a high state of emotions is difficult to process for some according to NeuroLaunch. Two other risk factors considered in the article are a dependency on music and music therapy to develop emotional regulation, preventing internal coping skills, as well as a possibility to misinterpret emotional states (Neurolaunch). While there is the risk of a strong emotional response, any form of therapy could lead to such a situation. But, the benefits outweigh the risks as releasing emotions and being able to feel them helps relieve stress. Releasing emotions is better than keeping emotions bottled up which could lead to someone “exploding” later on. 

Works Cited

Aigen, Kenneth S, and Routledge. The Study of Music Therapy : Current Issues and Concepts. New York, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2014.

Budson, A. (2020, October 7). Why Is Music Good for the brain? Harvard Health Blog; 
Harvard Health Publishing.

Doman, Alex. TEDx Talks. “Your Brain Is Better on Music TEDxOgden.” YouTube, 23 Aug. 2018, .

Inscore, Andy. 2022-2023 Data Report. 2023.
Kubicek, Lorrie. 2022. “Can Music Improve Our Health and Quality of Life?” Harvard Health. Harvard Health Publishing. July 25, 2022. .

Minds, SUPPORTING Learners. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2024, from 

Mowreader, Ashley. “Seven Ways to Address Mental Health Stigma on College Campuses.” 
Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs, 2024, .

NeuroLaunch editorial team. “Music Therapy Risks: Potential Drawbacks and Considerations for Patients.” NeuroLaunch.com, Oct. 2024,
.

Pan, Y. Y., Sun, X. Y., Dang, Y. N., Chen, M., Wang, L., & Shen, L. (2020). Effect of music intervention on depression in graduate students. Music Education Research, 23(1), 1–9.

Peralta, L. (2022, May 3). Understanding the Psychology and Benefits of Music Therapy.Save the Music Foundation

Töres Theorell. Psychological Health Effects of Musical Experiences : Theories, Studies and Reflections in Music Health Science. Springer, 2014. EBSCOhost,
.