The other day the Guardian published a front-page article about the startling number of people of all ages who suffer from mental health problems, such as depression, without receiving any treatment. It was suggested that the cost of drug treatments and cognitive therapies, as well as a lack of trained counsellors in certain parts of the country, were factors in why too few sufferers manage to get sufficient help. Even when help is available in the form of medication or talking therapy, some people suffering from depression find that these treatments do not work for them.
The Guardian online letters page has many replies and comments, including one from me reminding people of the power of music, and particularly of music-making, to combat depression.
Hear, hear! I have seen at first hand how participating in music-making can help to alleviate childhood depression.