Sing your way to good mental health

‘To be heard’: The social and mental health benefits of choir singing for disadvantaged adults

From Psychology of Music

Adults living with a chronic mental illness or disability tend to participate less frequently in occupational and social interactions compared to the general population. This may exacerbate problems. Those that suffer with a mental illness may experience a negative effect on daily functioning as well as impairment or prevention of typical development potentially leading to social marginalization. This study recognizes there is a need for community-based strategies to assist individuals with chronic mental health problems to achieve mental health and wellbeing while remaining out of hospital. The paper aims to explore the personal experiences of choir members as it is understood that singing provides the opportunity for meaningful activity, social connectedness and quality of life for these individuals. The research demonstrates that, with appropriate support, adults experiencing chronic mental health problems or disabilities are able to gain important social and health benefits from choir singing. The wide popularity of tv shows like X-Factor and Glee suggest that even amateur singing; individually or within a group, is publicly encouraged and celebrated which hopefully enables many who find it difficult to socialize and integrate to become involved in the activity to discover their voice and identity.  Getting involved in singing activities is very much on-trend, it’s credible and accessible to all. Many could be encouraged to sing their way to better mental health.

Nut allergy sufferers face prejudice

A qualitative study of families of a child with a nut allergy

From Chronic Illness

Parents of nut-allergy sufferers face hostility and scepticism in trying to find safe environments for their children. Researchers in this study found that parents are routinely made to feel by friends and even family that their child’s nut allergy is a ‘frivolous and self indulgent fad invented and maintained by attention-seeking people.’ The research revealed how found that children suffering from potentially deadly nut allergies often struggle with negative attitudes and unhelpful food labelling. Families were interviewed about the techniques and strategies they use to cope in various situations. Nut allergy was a source of ongoing anxiety for families, who can find themselves socially isolated and excluded. The findings point to a need to raise awareness of the dangers associated with nut allergy and also calls for improvement in food production and labelling to help families and children maintain a safe environment and reduce stress and difficulties

Considering initiatives to help alleviate some of the costly burden of disabled people on society

Estimates of national health care expenditures associated with disability

From Journal of Disability Policy Studies

This week in the UK a Tory MP caused an uproar hitting the headlines with a suggested policy that disabled people should be allowed to work for less than the minimum wage arguing it offers them better opportunities to join the workforce. Many groups representing disabled people far and wide retorted in disgust at the idea such vulnerable people should be exploited illegally and immorally as a source of cheap labor. At this difficult time of necessary global cuts the disabled demographic seem to be heavily scrutinized with the conclusion often being they are a costly burden. This article examines the total health care dollars associated with disability and recommends that policy makers should consider initiatives that will help to prevent or delay disability and to improve the organization and delivery of services to people with disabilities.