Bringing music to mental patients

Singer Ngoc Khoa sings for mental patients. Photo: Hanh Dung

That is why, recently, Central Psychiatric Hospital 2 (Tan Trieu Ward, Dong Nai Province) has applied music as a therapeutic solution, helping mentally ill people stabilize their emotions and quickly reintegrate into the community.

Priceless spiritual medicine

After a month of diligent practice under the guidance of doctors and technicians, recently, Ms. T.D. (34 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City) and 17 other patients being treated at the Central Psychiatric Hospital 2 confidently stood on stage to perform the song "Just be happy".

On the background music, all 18 patients sang in unison and on time. With a cheerful melody, the whole group sang and danced to the music, making the audience feel indescribable emotions.

Ms. T.D. confided that she was hospitalized because she was severely depressed due to pressure from work and personal life. Since being hospitalized, she has been able to confide in everyone, participate in activities at the hospital, and especially learn to sing, sing, and perform on stage. Every time she practices, she finds it quite difficult, but when she has "conquered" a song, she feels very happy.

“Participating in the art performance organized by the hospital this time, I performed two songs, Cu Vui Len and Chuyen nhu chua bat dau. The song Cu Vui Len wants to send the message: When you feel tired, just tell your friends about the troubles in your heart, just try a little more and everything will be fine. The song Chuyen nhu chua bat dau wants to say that you should forget everything in the past as if it never happened. Keep what is important, put aside what is not important” - Ms. T.D. confided after finishing the performance.

Like Ms. T.D., patient D.K. (47 years old, from Vinh Long province) also has a special passion for music. During therapy sessions at the department or in art programs organized by the hospital, Mr. D. enthusiastically participated. He performed many songs about love for his homeland, country, family affection, and then played the Melodion, which was appreciated by the audience of mental patients, doctors, and nurses.

Mr. K. confided: Thanks to the care and help of doctors and nurses, and the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities and performing arts, he found that his illness had improved a lot. Previously, Mr. K. suffered from paranoia and only slept 1-2 hours a day, but after being treated with therapies, including music, he now eats well and sleeps well.

Music erases all distances

Recently, People's Artist Ta Minh Tam, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, came to see and sing for mental patients being treated at the Central Mental Hospital 2. He said: "Many people think that mental patients have something very "fierce". But when I go to the hospital, interact with them, listen to them sing, watch them perform and receive enthusiastic support from them, I find them very cute, very loving of life, passionate about art. Watching mental patients perform, I realize that they have musical emotions and it also helps me to have new musical inspiration".

People's Artist Ta Minh Tam highly appreciated the Board of Directors of Central Psychiatric Hospital 2, doctors and technicians for thoroughly applying music to create very good results, helping patients recover their mental state soon. He shared: "I am always ready to contribute my efforts to useful work in life, including activities to bring music to patients being treated at hospitals, including mental patients. At those times, I find life really meaningful."

Central Psychiatric Hospital 2 is treating nearly 1,000 inpatients. Among the therapies for rehabilitation of mental patients, music is being used very effectively at the hospital.

Having been involved with hospitals and mental patients for nearly 20 years, Master, singer Nguyen Ngoc Khoa, lecturer at Dong Nai College of Culture and Arts, said: “I have been involved with professional music since I was 20 years old, and now it has been more than 30 years, including many years working with mental patients. I love music and find music even more meaningful as one of the treatment methods for mental patients. Thanks to music, patients from unconscious people gradually recover their emotions and can return to normal life. I am very happy and joyful when watching mental patients perform, using musical instruments from simple to complex. We are very grateful to the doctors and technicians who have used music very effectively.”

Also bringing music to mental patients, singer Nhung Rita (Ho Chi Minh City) confided: For every artist, the audience is very important and is a source of inspiration for the artist to create art. When performing on stage, receiving enthusiastic applause from mental patients, I am very happy because music has truly erased all distances between people.

Hanh Dung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202509/mang-am-nhac-den-voi-benh-nhan-tam-than-3d40399/