Arts and Health
Volume 8, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 125-139

Where words fail, music speaks: the impact of participatory music on the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers (Article)

Lenette C.* , Weston D. , Wise P. , Sunderland N. , Bristed H.
  • a School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Anzac Parade, Kensington, New South, Wales, Australia, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia
  • b Queensland Conservatorium, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith UniversityQLD 4222, Australia
  • c School of Humanities, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith UniversityQLD 4222, Australia
  • d School of Human Services and Social Work, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, QLD 4131, Australia, Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, South Bank Campus, Griffith UniversityQLD 4101, Australia
  • e School of Human Services and Social Work, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, QLD 4131, Australia

Abstract

Background: 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. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Asylum seekers health and wellbeing singing Detention Music

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84929012760&doi=10.1080%2f17533015.2015.1037317&partnerID=40&md5=a353117ca009fd31d46560af5778fc31
DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2015.1037317
ISSN: 17533015
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English