Studies from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital foundation shows nearly four million Australians experience mental illness. However, a growing number of people are finding solace not in pills, but in playlists.  

There are 950 registered music therapists nationwide, many of whom support people with disabilities who rely on music to live.

Music therapist Mat Cammarano says music can become a great non-confrontational tool to access individuals’ emotions.

“Sometimes music becomes a gateway or a tool to access these emotions in a non-confrontational way. It can be expressed indirectly, because sometimes people aren’t in a place where they’re comfortable to really address scenarios or a situation they found themselves in,” he says.

“By engaging in music they can come to that place where they are ready to address it, but its delivered in a way that allows them to lead and allows the music in to join the process.”

Mr Cammarano says anyone can become involved in music therapy regardless of how musically talented they are.

“I believe that everyone has this innate musicality buried, and I think humans by nature are musical creatures. You don’t have to be a musician or play music to engage in music therapy with the variety of interventions we have available, like song writing, lyric analysis, improvisation, there is many ways to access the medium of music without being musically talented,” he says.

Psychologist Georgia Bennet says doing something that makes you feel joyful when depressed, like incorporating more music into your life, can release endorphins and shift your mindset.

“Music can play both into different parts of your emotions, whether that’s listening to music and dancing or creating music of your own that expresses how you feel that you can use a way to connect with other people,” she says.

Fremantle musician Andrew Bickers plays the drums in a band. He says music has been a big part of his coping process, and he finds huge solace in listening to songs that reflect his emotions.

“Music is great for connection, there’s times when i’ll listen to more upbeat music in darker periods to get out of it, sometimes that happens by accident and you forget what you were worrying about,” he says.

Mr Cammarano says in a time when mental health challenges are high, integrating music into daily life or therapy is more than a luxury, it’s a necessity.

He says whether it’s through curated playlists, local music programs, or simply taking time out to listen, it’s clear healing sometimes starts with a song.