Music can reduce youth depression

The social skills and self esteem of young people suffering emotional, behavioural and developmental problems was dramatically improved when theirmedical treatment was enhanced by music therapy.

It is hoped that the research, by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), will help pave the way for the treatment becoming more mainstream.

Ciara Reilly, chief executive of the Music Therapy Trust which provides theservice in Northern Ireland, said: “The findings are dramatic and underscore the need for music therapy to be made available as a mainstream treatment option.