Over mass singing, flash mobs and therapy sessions, the Centre for Music Therapy Education and Research (CMTER) at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth will seek to popularise the medical benefits of music.
The week-long campaign, which marks the fourth anniversary of the CMTER, will continue till January 10.
“We have planned the events to be diverse and with a clear focus on rural outreach,” said Sumathy Sundar, director of CMTER.
On the outreach front, a community music therapy project with Rathna Special School of Life Health Center for Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Alapakkam, Cuddalore, will touch the lives of about 75 children with learning disabilities, developmental delays and autistic spectrum disorders through music therapy interventions.
Also proposed is a music therapy session focused on health and well-being among the geriatric community at the Serene-Pelican neighbourhood, Pinnachikuppam, Bahour Commune in addition to a community singing and music sharing event in Seliamedu village of Bahour Commune.
Alongside raising community awareness of music therapy, programmes are also being organised to bring on board the clinician fraternity at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute in understanding the role of music-based applications in the field of healing.
According to Dr. Sumathy, though the concept is quite familiar, many clinicians often wonder as to which problem areas are appropriate for delivering music therapy services.
The CMTER team will visit each speciality department and recommend referral areas for music therapy services and create awareness of referral procedures.
Youth-oriented interventions include flash mobs and quiz contests.
Another highlight of the week is a sing-along programme involving transgenders at Sahodaran Community Oriented Heath Development Society at Pudupalayam. The programme is aimed at enhancing self-belief among the third gender population.
On Monday, the CMTER formally launched the week-long campaign.
S. Krishnan, Dean, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, unveiled the logo of CMTER officially and released the annual report showcasing the activities of the department.
A.R Srinivasan, Registrar of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, released two bulletins for the year 2014 reporting empirical studies, case reports, photo stories, patient stories and global music therapy information.
