–By Aisha Sambo
Every October we make it a habit to dedicate the entire month to advocating for mental health, either through attending workshops about mental illnesses, supporting mental health non-profit organizations, participating in an awareness walk or helping to create content to spread more awareness about seeking mental health support. The small steps we all take toward improving our mental health and spreading more awareness are valuable. As an empath, it’s easy for us to ignore our own personal feelings over the needs of others. A habit we all should do better managing. While a day or even a month is dedicated to raising awareness, discussing mental health as a continuous topic is even greater. I’m just one person though, so I wonder how many of us need to care deeply enough about mental health for it to cause a ripple effect for change in our communities. This article will explore how music can improve our mental health which may cause a shift in mindset or behaviour.
Music has been on my mind lately, thinking as far back as the evolution of man, historically we create and listen to music to enrich our lives through rhythms and melodies. Despite our life problems and differences as humans, music is a uniquely unifying phenomenon to which we can all respond to. Both the media and science have actively examined the functional and cognitive roles of music. However, at least from a cultural standpoint, music has always been an expressive and therapeutic medium. Considering most African experiences steam from the spirituality of music to the harsh realities of slave life, to the classic tunes of high-life, jazz and blues lamenting social injustice, to even the complex, yet immensely popular multi-billion dollar industry, hip-hop music, which continues to change and develop as we do.
Nigeria’s Relationship with Mental Illnesses
It is important to note some recent facts surrounding mental health in our country Nigeria. This year health authorities notified the public that 60 million Nigerians suffer from various mental illnesses, and only about 10% of them were able to access appropriate care. We are left with more than 90% unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses. Another research on mental health carried out in 2019 by Africa Polling Institute (API) and EpiAFRIC, showed how mental health awareness is low in Nigeria, with most respondents being aware that they have mental health disorders, commonly caused by drug abuse, possession by evil spirits or sickness of the brain. The majority of the patients are taken to a prayer house for spiritual interventions. Nigeria is currently under multiple public health challenges as many other countries around the globe, from containing the COVID-19 pandemic, to health and social workers’ burnout, suicidal episodes, communal violence and insecurity, many of which can lead to mental health issues. Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa has still managed to achieve remarkable progress in the health sector, for example Nigeria met the challenges of Ebola virus, COVID-19 and other epidemics through strengthened leadership, policies and legislation. Sadly, in a country where mental health issues are still heavily stigmatized, Nigeria still has a way to create safe spaces for these kinds of discussions.
Music, the Universal Language
Music is a powerful thing. Aside from its entertainment value, listening to music is known to have incredible positive effects on our brains. It has been scientifically proven that listening to music elicits a strong reaction in our brains. According to Ellen Mannes, author of The Power of Music, scientists have learned music stimulates the brain more than any other human function. For example, psychiatric studies have found that music is processed in different ways by our nervous system. Some examples include:
l Emotionally: how different aspects of music (intensity, harmony, loudness) affect our neural responses.
l Autonomically: how our autonomic bodily functions (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates) are affected.
l Perceptually: how we physically feel and hear music.
A neuroradiologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre, Dr. Jonathan Burette conducted a study that researched levels of brain connectivity based on self-identified music preferences in 21 subjects. The results showed listeners’ preferences, and not the genre of music they listen to having the greatest impact on brain activity. The findings may explain why mental states and comparable emotions can be experienced by people listening to music that differs as widely as Beethoven and Eminem. According to Burette, this arguably suggests music plays an impactful role in how we develop our sense of self and the world around us. Music is universal and can change the way we act, feel and think. This factors into how we can use music to manage our mental health. Researchers from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development have found that music increases memory and retention as well as maximizes learning capabilities. Our brains can trigger particular emotions, memories and thoughts, which often leads to more positive effects on mental health.
Some potential benefits music is said to have on our brains include, elevating our mood and motivation, reducing stress, improving focus, helping with relaxation, reducing anxiety and depression. In Nigeria, the disparity between available healthcare services and need for mental health services is palpable. So I believe we can use music to close this gap even though the country has still made significant advances on challenging public health problems and health-related policy development and legislation, there are enough problems to run you into insanity. From ASUU Strikes, economic hardships, the failing power sector, corruption, police brutality, and insecurity, which way Naija? Our external environment is really chipping away the mental blocks of our citizens. Nevertheless, the next time you feel overwhelmed by Naija problems, just turn on the radio, listen to some music, hopefully, Young Jonn’s Xtra Cool will put you back in the right mood, or Ayra Star’s Rush is the clarion call you needed to hear, or perhaps The Therapist’s Nack is just the medicine you needed.