“Without music, life would be a mistake.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Music therapy can be an amazing way for people to gain mental clarity, alleviate stress, and elevate mood. Virginia Tech is a very large campus that offers many outlets and resources for students who are in need of therapy, mental health breaks, and other stress relievers. This includes the Cook Counseling Center, which offers various services for students that may be in need of assistance in some way. However, Virginia Tech does not currently offer music as a method of therapy for students. Music is greatly appreciated at VT. This majorly shows through its well-respected music programs that have a high level of participation, such as the a cappella groups, choirs, various band groups, and more. Students’ love for music is evident and based on the research we have done, it can significantly influence a person’s overall wellbeing and state of mind. With that being said, would Virginia Tech benefit in having a Music Therapy option for its students? We believe it absolutely would. With such a large amount of students attending the school, cancelling out options that could potentially help students struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems would be a mistake. Giving people the opportunity to have that method of therapy as an option would open the conversation up for greater student mental health and well being. It is known that college students suffer from various anxiety disorders, high levels of stress, depression, etc., so why not offer all forms of help that can be offered to ensure a happier and healthier education and college experience?
The Power of Music 