Music In Action Journal | Case Studies from the Sector
INTRODUCTION
My Voice Music (MVM) was developed at a residential lockdown facility for young people experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges. MVM’s founder Ian Mouser, who was a treatment counselor in the facility, recounted the environment as one where residents received all the basic resources to live and medically treat their symptoms. However, even with these needs met, violent outbursts and conflicts frequently occurred, for which the facility’s typical response was physical restraint or isolation. The program lacked regular, normative activities that could provide residents with an outlet for their stresses and emotions, such as sports or creative arts.
One event that Mouser’s facility produced was an occasional talent show. With the news of an upcoming performance, a few residents approached Mouser, a guitarist, for help in preparing an act. In response to this request, Mouser organized a six-member band, provided them with instruments, and helped them write a simple song to perform. In the days following their performance at the talent show, the facility staff noticed that the need for behavior and violence interventions decreased and class attendance improved. From these circumstances, Mouser realized that regular music-making activities could create a positive and potent impact in residents’ lives. Research supports Mouser’s findings, as it has been shown that music can support the healing of those who have been traumatized. Research also shows that music can offer relief from the rigid schedules of residential care life. Music “creates spontaneity… and takes you to a place where you can leave the regimen and go off in a world that you create and that you connect with on your own terms”.
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Authored by : Alfonso Hernandez (Guatemala), Rebecca Kim (USA), Jenny O’Connor-Madsen (Ireland), Evangelos Saklaras (Greece).
Hernandez, Kim, O’Connor-Madsen & Saklaras developed the studied initiative as Fellows of The 2022 Global Leaders Program.
