Music is Medicine
How Music Can Heal
In a world where stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges are on the rise, community member Joshua Alston has taken a unique approach to helping those in need.
Mental Health Statistics
Source: https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
Music, the one thing Joshua Alston can connect with anyone about.
According to an article by the Berkley School of Music, music triggers the release of dopamine, which affects our moods. This, combined with endorphins, causes people to feel happy and is shown to enhance connections between people. When we ourselves create the music, these feelings are enhanced.
Alston, a singer-songwriter, has had a love for music since he was eight years old. He has found a way to intertwine his two passions: music and mental health.
Motivated by his father's bipolar disorder diagnosis, he wanted to be able to understand and support others facing similar struggles. At age 18, he began to work with Peer Support, an initiative of the North Carolina's Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. Here he was able to receive a certificate to work with youth, specializing in enhancing their social-emotional skills. He still works with this organization to this day.
In 2023, Alston initiated a community-focused event in Burlington, North Carolina, supported by a $10,000 Community Forward Grant from Impact Alamance, a foundation that believes everyone "deserves to live a healthy and fulfilling life," no matter their circumstance. This initiative was a testament to the community's commitment to mental health and the power of music.
With this grant, Alston hosted a Mind Over Matter Conference. With multiple health specialist doctors, physical exercise doctors, and school counselors to speak on mental health, the conference was a huge success.
He convened over 250 singers, rappers, dance groups, and more to come perform and share their mental health stories, fostering dialogue and awareness.
"It's almost like having a community day to talk about mental health," Alston says. Therapists were even giving out free massages, which was said to be a fan favorite.
In the future, Alston hopes to make this a more significant event on a grander skill.
“And then do a big concert because music is therapy”
Christian Patterson (left) and Joshua Alston (right)
Christian Patterson (left) and Joshua Alston (right)
Shortly after, he began to work with music therapist, Christian Patterson.
In 2023, they first partnered with the African American Cultural Arts and History Center.
They created a six-week class that meets once a week, crafted around empowering children with music, and teaching them how to use music to help manage their emotions.
According to a study by Pfizer, "listening to (or making) music increases blood flow to brain regions that generate and control emotions. The limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, 'lights' up when our ears perceive music".
During a conversation with Patterson, he says, "While you're processing whichever event or feeling that you have, you're also processing the music. The brain takes more space and power, and takes priority for the pleasurable moments that exist."
Bucket drumming is one activity that takes place during group music therapy. The group sits in a circle with a bucket before each person. An emotion is said aloud to the group, and the group must drum on the bucket according to how they feel.
"You bring the little kid out of a person, and then you synchronize it with other people," Alston explained, "You are releasing toxicities (toxins) in your body that you didn't know were there. Just from beating the drum. That's why drummers love the drums."
Patterson says that group drumming is "a tool belt for music therapists". He says this causes people to let their guards down subconsciously and leads to an increase in confidence.
Alston says every time they do bucket drumming, the big smiles on the children's faces and positive feedback from the parents prove that what they are doing is working.
Alston shared a story of one student with whom he saw a huge breakthrough with. When first starting his six-week camp, his student was insecure about his ability to play the piano. After six weeks of classes, exercises, and motivation from the people surrounding him, he said he was much more confident .
"All I had to tell him was that there's no wrong sound when you're making music, and he took that and ran with it."
Joshua Alston
Last year, he created his brand, 'Music is Medicine'. The brand serves as a way for people to show their support for mental health initiatives. Alston will continue to be a leader in the community, and when people see 'Music is Medicine,' he wants them to recognize it as a symbol of freedom and expression.
"It's a declaration of I'm better with music. I'm better in life."
"Music is the only thing that can heal the world."
Written by: Grace Garesche
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