The Healing Blues by Anita Schlank, Ph.D

The Healing Blues

By Anita Schlank, Ph.D.

The blues community has mourned too many deaths of extremely talented musicians who have died due to depression. These untimely deaths emphasize that we, as a society, need to speak more openly about mental illness and suicide. While we have come a long way since the times when suicide victims were buried with stakes driven through their hearts (to prevent their “unquiet spirits” from troubling the rest of us), there is still a stigma felt by those suffering from mental disorders that can lead to reluctance in seeking mental health treatment.

Raising awareness around this topic and educating the public about available mental health treatment is particularly crucial for artists and musicians, as there appears to be a link between creativity and both mood disorders and addictions. One survey found that people in the musical community were much more likely than the general population to be diagnosed with depression, and more than twice as likely to attempt suicide. This problem can be especially relevant among blues musicians, who are less likely than classical musicians to belong to a union, or to have health insurance provided for them. In fact, Dr. Marc Brodsky (1995) surveyed blues musicians in Chicago, and found that very few could afford individual health insurance plans, and most reported reluctance in letting others know about medical or mental health problems. In addition, touring on the road can exacerbate problems with depression or substance abuse, given the chronic lack of sleep and easy access to alcohol and other mood-altering chemicals. Luckily, these negative factors are somewhat countered by the fact that there does appear to be a healing effect to both playing and listening to blues music.

Listening to and playing music can enhance well-being and reduce pain and suffering. It lowers levels of cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” and can even improve communication among those with autism (Patel, 2005; Kemper & Danhauer, 2005; Krout, 2001). These effects might be particularly profound when it comes to the blues. The blues is often viewed as one of the most emotional genres of music, and while some may assume that listening to the blues will make a person sad, the opposite tends to be true.

The reason for this is not entirely clear. Some believe it is due to the beauty that can be found in sad tones, while others believe the simplicity of the chord structure allows for increased emotional expression. Still, others assume healing comes from the catharsis of hearing blues singers speak about struggles that are similar to one’s own, much like the comfort found in 12-step meetings. These beneficial effects are increased when listening

Left to right: Anita Schlank, Mark Earley, Annika Chambers, Mike Welch, Kevin Burt and Rev. Billy C. Wirtz present a mental health panel at the 2019 Big Blues Bender. Photo by Erik Kabik

to music in group settings, which can provide a strong sense of belonging and community. Because of this complex healing quality, blues fans most often remain blues fans for life, unlike some other genres.

In 2019, a group of exceptional blues musicians collaborated on a project aimed at both raising awareness about mental illness and sharing the wonderful healing aspects of this music. Additionally, they aimed to raise money for the Handy Artist Relief Trust (the “HART Fund”), a division of The Blues Foundation that pays for health care (including mental health treatment) that blues musicians are otherwise unable to afford. The result of this collaboration was a book entitled Blues Therapy, which I co-authored with Tab Benoit, with all proceeds donated to the HART Fund.

In the book, numerous successful blues musicians share their experiences with mental illness and/or substance abuse, as well as the ways in which this music has been healing for them. In the foreword, Mike Zito describes his journey from mental illness and addiction, while Mike Welch provides a heartwrenching description of his life-long struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. Annika Chambers shares her history of substance dependence to cope with the ramifications of being sexually assaulted, while Nick Moss describes his struggle with panic disorder. Anders Osborne and Beth Hart discuss their diagnoses of bipolar disorder and substance dependence, and many others – including Amanda Fish, Eric Gales, Janiva Magness, Phil Pemberton, Billy Price, Dawn Tyler Watson, Ronnie Earl, Mark Earley and the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz – also generously share compelling stories about their individual emotional struggles and paths toward healing. In doing so, these musicians use their celebrity status to raise much-needed awareness around this important topic, and also offer comfort and inspiration to those suffering in silence. In addition, they introduce potential new fans to the incredible healing effects of the blues. In its first year of publication, Blues Therapy raised over $11,000 for the HART Fund.

Since the book was published in 2019, readers have frequently stated that the musicians’ personal accounts have helped them feel less alone in their struggles, and many also learned about treatment options available to them. They found hope in the fact that these celebrities have all become successful despite their mental health and/or addiction struggles. Several contributors to the book joined together, along with Kevin Burt, to present a panel about mental health at the 2019 Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas. Their emotional disclosures brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience, and attendees noted how helpful it was to learn of others with the same symptoms, who had found success both

Co-authors of Blues Therapy, Tab Benoit and Anita Schlank, Ph.D. Photo by Ÿ Marilyn Stringer

through treatment and the healing effects of the blues.

The success of this book has inspired a second volume that is currently in the works. This time, it is co-authored with Mike Zito, who is well known not only for his incredible musicianship, but also for his inspirational writing in his blog, A Bluesman in Recovery. In the second volume, fans of the music will be interviewed as well as blues musicians, to continue to raise awareness of mental illness and addiction, and to further explore the ways in which this beautiful genre provides such a significant therapeutic effect to both musicians and listeners. John Lee Hooker said the blues is a healer, and this appears to be true. Blues Therapy helps spread the word about how this happens. To purchase the book and for more information, visit bluestherapybook.com.

Anita Schlank, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and a board-certified forensic psychologist who has treated criminal offenders for over 30 years. She has authored numerous articles and book chapters, and edited the five-volume book series entitled The Sexual Predator. She is also a passionate blues fan and is on the board of directors for the River City Blues Society in Richmond, VA. To connect, email anita.schlank@earthlink.net.

References:

Brodsky, M. (1995). Blues Musicians Access to Health Care. Medical Problems of Performing Artists (10), 18-23.

Kemper, K.J. & Danhauer, S.C. (2005). Music as therapy. Southern Medical Journal, 98(3), 282-289.

Krout, R.E. (2001). The effects of single-session music therapy interventions on the observed and self-reported levels of pain control, physical comfort and relaxation of hospice patients. American Journal of Hospital Palliative Care, 18, 383-390.

Mathews, P. (2016). Rhythm and Blues: Help for Kiwi musicians with depression, anxiety and addictions. www.stuff. co.nz/entertainment/music/84835569/rhythm-and-blues-Helpfor-Kiwi-musicians-with-depression-anxiety-and-addictions.

Patel, A. (2015). Music and the Brain (Audiotape). Available from www.TheGreatCourses.com.