Music is fun—a nice little add-on in schools. Nothing like the heavy hitters, right? It’s not as crucial as maths, or reading, or learning to write an analytical essay on Macbeth. These, after all, are the “important” things in education. This is where the money should be placed. These are the tools to “make Britain great again,” or at least keep up appearances. Music? That’s a soft skill, a creative hobby, something we squeeze in around the serious stuff, the real “core” subjects.
And yet, here’s the kicker: when we strip away music, we’re not just cutting a fun extra; we’re hacking away at the foundation of well-rounded, healthy minds. Because what are we teaching our kids to read and write about if we’ve left them without a sense of culture, without emotional awareness, without the basic creative outlet that music provides?
The research is clear—students who engage with music score higher on academic tests, are less prone to anxiety, and develop skills like teamwork and resilience, which we all know are vital for life far beyond the classroom. So, is music just “nice to have,” or have we, as a society, been missing the beat on what really makes an education?
For the next—well, who knows how long, really—I’ll be digging deep into the link between music and mental health. Think of this as an ongoing, unashamedly one-sided investigation, packed with studies, stories, and a heap of proof that points squarely to the conclusion that music is essential. And here’s the best part: I’m making the rules here, so every ounce of evidence I find will support my argument. Because, quite frankly, it’s my blog, and I get to do what I want with it.
So, if you’re looking for “balanced perspectives” or arguments from the “other side,” you’re in the wrong place. Here, I’m writing to convince the doubters, provide more ammo for the converted, and explore every reason music deserves a solid place in our lives and schools. Whether you’re a sceptic, a believer, or someone who just wants to understand more about music’s impact on our well-being, welcome along for the ride.
Get ready for the stats, the science, and maybe a bit of sarcasm as I unapologetically argue why music is not just a nice-to-have but an absolute necessity.
Here we go…
Music as a Mental Health Multivitamin
Music has long been pegged as a feel-good ‘extra’ in our education system. And let’s be honest, the system in question is pretty much a Victorian throwback, one that’s all about churning out good little workers rather than creative thinkers. Music? It’s often seen as just another box to tick. Many primary schools, it seems, view music as a bit of a pain in the arse. The ‘music lesson’ too often becomes, “Here’s a tambourine—make it fun,” followed by a sigh of relief when it’s over and a big “job done” tick in the box.
But here’s the thing: there’s actual science behind why music is crucial for mental health. From the tunes playing as you walk the aisles of your local supermarket to the specialised sessions of music therapy, music in all its forms is like a multivitamin for our mental well-being. And, yes, even those annoyingly catchy songs that supermarkets use to manipulate us into lingering in the “seasonal offers” aisle longer than we planned have their effects. Supermarkets choose their music strategically—studies show that slower tempos encourage us to move at a more leisurely pace, which translates into more time spent (and more money spent) browsing. In contrast, upbeat music often boosts our mood, making us more open to impulse buys.
But beyond consumer manipulation, there’s compelling science that proves music is a powerhouse for mental health. When we listen to music we enjoy, our brains release dopamine, that lovely “feel-good” neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure. A 2011 study published in Nature Neuroscience confirmed that listening to music we love triggers dopamine release, which explains that “high” we feel when our favourite song comes on Royal Philharmonic Society
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Music doesn’t just make us happy; it also helps reduce stress. Another study found that music can lower cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress. This particular study, conducted at the University of Marburg in Germany, showed that patients who listened to music before surgery had significantly lower cortisol levels than those who didn’t, proving that music is effective in easing anxiety and tension Royal Philharmonic Society. So, the next time you’re blasting your favourite playlist after a long day, just remember—there’s a solid scientific reason why it works.
So, yes, while music is often brushed off as a nice-to-have in education, it’s actually a core component of a balanced mental health “diet.” Like a good multivitamin, it boosts mood, lowers stress, and builds resilience.
Music works on our brain in much the same way as some of the priciest therapies on the market—except you don’t need a clinical office, a prescription pad, or (heaven forbid) a long wait in the pharmacy line. Just put on a favourite tune, and suddenly you’re engaging brain regions that therapists work hard to target with cognitive-behavioural exercises, mindfulness techniques, and structured talk therapy.
Research shows that listening to music activates the same “reward centres” in the brain that are targeted by some therapies and antidepressant medications. The striatum, for instance, is part of the brain’s reward system and gets a serious dopamine boost when you listen to music you enjoy—much like it would after an effective therapy session. Studies published in journals like Frontiers in Psychology show that listening to certain types of music can reduce activity in the amygdala, the brain’s emotional response centre, making it a natural way to manage feelings of anxiety and fear.
Unlike prescription medication, music is “self-prescribing.” Whether you’re listening to jazz to unwind or opting for some energising pop beats to boost your mood, you’re choosing the treatment on your own terms. No expensive appointments, side effects, or follow-up check-ins—just a rhythm that naturally aligns with your mood and goals for that moment.
And while therapies often involve weeks (or even months) of scheduled sessions and strict protocols, music can be as immediate as hitting play.
So why the importance of all this, you ask? Let’s look at some recent data on mental health among children and young people in the UK, and the statistics are, unfortunately, not uplifting.
In 2023, one in five young people aged 8 to 25 was found to have a probable mental disorder, with this rate especially high among older teens and young adults. This prevalence, recorded in the latest Mental Health of Children and Young People report, reflects an increase in mental health issues since 2017, with issues stabilising at this high rate between 2022 and 2023. Within the 17- to 25-year age group, mental health struggles are twice as common among young women as young men, with particular increases in anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, all showing worrying trends of growth over recent years.
Young people with mental health challenges also face significant social barriers. For instance, those with probable mental disorders are less likely to engage in activities like sports or outdoor time, with 80% of affected young people reporting they had not participated in clubs or organised activities in the past week, compared to around 50% of their peers without mental health issues. Additionally, children aged 11 to 16 with mental health difficulties were found to be about five times more likely to experience in-person bullying and four times more likely to face online bullying than their peers without such struggles.
In response, the NHS has worked to expand mental health services within schools, but even with over 390 school-based mental health teams, these resources only reach about 35% of students. With demand outstripping supply, music and other creative supports could play a crucial role in complementing more traditional services by providing accessible, stigma-free mental health benefits directly within school environments.
The link between removing music and performing arts from our primary school system and the rise of poor mental health among young people is stark. Studies like those from NHS Digital’s Mental Health of Children and Young People in England report highlight just how critical access to expressive outlets like music can be for young people’s mental well-being. Research has shown that students with access to arts and music education report lower levels of stress and anxiety, better emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of social connection.
For example, a 2020 report by The British Association for Music Therapy found that children who engage in music therapy demonstrate improvements in mental health, particularly with anxiety and behavioural challenges. Likewise, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry indicated that students participating in arts and music education are more resilient and report fewer symptoms of depression.
Removing these outlets from primary schools doesn’t just reduce opportunities for creativity—it removes a proven support system for mental health.
As we start our journey together, we’ll be diving into the benefits of music on our mental health later this week. From stress relief to social connections to regulating our emotions—music is the most powerful tool in our arsenal. So stay tuned, because we’re about to unpack why, in a world where we’re told to “sit still and focus,” the real secret might just be to turn up the volume and let a bit of rhythm work its magic.
And who knows? By the end of it, we might even convince the doubters that if anything should be compulsory in schools, it’s a daily dose of something a little louder than the alphabet song.
Brendan O'Neill – Founder and Lead Music Specialist
Music Kids Academy – Inspiring Young Minds Through Music
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