Music as a source of strength
How do we prevent our inner fire from going out when making music? Answers will be provided on November 11 in Fribourg on a day of healthy music-making.
The SMM is turning its 19th symposium into a "Music Health Day" and will provide a unique, broad overview of forward-looking concepts and the diverse practice of preventive health care in music-making. The day will be introduced by the children's and Adolescent psychiatrist Anke Grell, who also represents musicians' medicine at the Zurich Center for Anxiety and Depression Treatment.
According to Anke Grell, the psychological strain on professional musicians has changed in many ways as a result of the pandemic. Depending on their personal situation, many have suffered and continue to suffer from very specific existential fears in the near and distant future. Surveys have revealed an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. Professional identity was suddenly perceived differently in political and social terms. Many have asked themselves the question of meaning and in some cases discovered other fields of activity for themselves, which they have also retained for various reasons after the pandemic.
Continuous overload situations can lead to exhaustion and loss of interest in otherwise everyday and enjoyable activities, including professional music-making. The ability to react emotionally to events decreases, sleep disorders and loss of appetite can also occur. Anxieties and fears also occur more frequently, particularly fear of performing and failure in a musical context.
Enlightenment and removal of taboos
Orchestras, music academies and music schools can prevent burnout among their employees by providing information, education and removing taboos, the psychiatrist explains further. They can create a learning and working environment in which it is possible to address difficulties as a matter of course without having to fear negative consequences. They can impart knowledge about how a healthy body and a healthy mind function when making music and learning and what the warning signs of physical and mental overload and illness are. All of this can for example in lectures, workshops, discussion groups, supervision and individual counseling sessions.
Contact points for people with pre-existing complaints are also important. A diverse network of specialists has been established here, which is organized in the relevant professional associations in Switzerland (Swissmedmusica), Germany (German Society for Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine) and Austria (Austrian Society for Music and Medicine). One positive example is the cooperation between the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and the Zurich Center for Anxiety and Depression Treatment (ZADZ), where she works. It provides students and employees of the ZHdK with psychosocial counseling and treatment.
Being kind to yourself
According to Grell, there is unfortunately no magic formula for keeping the joy and inner drive of making music alive. The most important thing, explains the psychiatrist, is to focus on what it is actually about: the music and the joy of making music. This is admittedly easier said than done under certain external and internal circumstances. Being kind to yourself, your own abilities and your current form on the day, freeing yourself from perfectionism to a certain extent and meeting external expectations with a healthy distance can be very helpful here. When signs of exhaustion become noticeable: Don't hesitate to get support! Being aware of your own limits and acting accordingly is a strength!
The Music Health Day is open to everyone as an information platform and networking event.
More information and registration:
swissmedmusica.ch/news-symposium
Center for Anxiety and Depression Treatment Zurich:
