Musically-driven Mental Health Promotion: To increase mental well -being of the Burmese community

Abstract

This study is built on the findings from the researcher’s master thesis on Asian mental health issues. It investigates the issues of the Burmese community, which is characterised by high disruption and fragmentation. The three Burmese concepts, namely, apegan (social isolation), oaksukwede (internal fragmentation) and thwesenyinyut (social solidarity), were explored with participatory action research methodologies. An intervention using music was devised and implemented to explore the processes associated with the intervention. This inquiry was precipitated by significant mental health concerns and lack of strength-based research in Asian ethnic minority groups from refugee backgrounds. These smaller refugee communities from Burma, Sri Lanka and Indonesia are vulnerable, because they are more susceptible to settlement difficulties than those with a critical mass. Refugees from smaller ethnic groups do not have as much access to their own community support networks and are therefore subject to a higher degree of isolation (Ho, Au, Bedford, & Cooper, 2003). The like-ethnic community can provide emotional support by reinforcing one’s sense of identity and self-worth, by providing opportunities for friendship, and by mitigating feelings of isolation (Beiser, 1988). The lack of sizeable Burmese community (just about 500 people or 0.02% of the total population in New Zealand) has put Burmese in a disadvantaged position during the critical, initial period of resettlement (Statistics New Zealand, 2002). For those smaller ethnic groups, this research proposes a mental health promotion approach using music as a key strategy. A participatory action research group was formed with the three Burmese concepts in mind. The study aims to bring Burmese community members together in music-based activities where they can research, increase control over their own issues and improve their current situation. This research aims at the re-establishment of informal social support networks and thwesenyinyut or social solidarity whereby the community might address its needs, thus realising the needs for increased levels of mental health and well-being. This research adopts social constructionist and participatory world views. The investigation involves participatory action research methodologies, informed by social constructionist approaches. The field work was conducted with members of marginalised communities (predominantly Burmese migrants and refugees) participating in music-based group activities. Interviews, participant observation and the participatory action research group meetings were used as information sources. Analysis was informed by constructivist grounded theory. The findings show that the musically-driven approach appears to engage the Burmese community and facilitate social connections among participants such as giving culture, participation in group activities, cooperativeness and contribution to the welfare of the group. While this study is not in a position to prove the mental health outcomes, the research findings have important implications for community development and mental health promotion practice in smaller ethnic communities from refugee backgrounds.