Abstract
Internationally, mental health service developments are increasingly informed by the principles of recovery, and the availability of arts and creative activities are becoming more common as part of provision. Mental health service users’ experiences, reflecting on the complex nature of using music participation in recovery are, however, limited. This essay considers literature that explores how music can support mental health service users in a recovery process. We have selected studies that include a broad spectrum of music activities, as well as literature considering various concepts about recovery. The conceptual recovery framework CHIME, that includes five important components in the recovery process, is used as the backdrop for exploring music activities as a contribution to recovery-oriented practice and services in mental health care. Eleven key components are identified in which music can support the recovery process: Feelings of equality; Social and emotional wellbeing; Tolerance; Hope and social agency; Triggering encounters; Redefining and reframing; A social practice; Moments of flow and peak experiences; Moments of meaning; Continuity; and Potentials instead of limitations. This essay concludes that the experiential knowledge of music activities from service users’ perspectives is essential knowledge when developing and using music activities in mental health recovery services. While this essay acknowledges that music activities can also produce unintended negative outcomes, the focus is on the positive contributions of music to mental health recovery processes.
Highlights
There is an increase in research that explores the potential benefits of music, participation in music activities, and music therapy [1,2,3] in mental health care contexts
This essay aims to provide an insight into research, based on experiential knowledge of music activities and service users’ perspectives and relating to a variety of mental health disorders—we are not considering details of how the various activities are most appropriate for individual diagnosis
A qualitative study shows [67] that songwriting may provide a platform for collaborative engagement which can help break down barriers between mental health service users and mental health staff
Summary
There is an increase in research that explores the potential benefits of music, participation in music activities, and music therapy [1,2,3] in mental health care contexts. Provide evidence-based practice by using data that primarily focuses on outcome measures [14] This is important in documenting the use of music therapy as an effective clinical treatment in mental health service provision. Solli [15,16], a one-sided focus on outcome measures can neglect the perspectives of service users and their valuable information about their personal experiences [17] This is a point of discussion from the perspective of participation in music activities [18] and in their perspectives of mental health services generally. This essay aims to provide an insight into research, based on experiential knowledge of music activities and service users’ perspectives and relating to a variety of mental health disorders—we are not considering details of how the various activities are most appropriate for individual diagnosis. Experiences of participation and, (b) how such experiences may influence recovery-oriented practice and services in mental health care
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
