Breaking the Silence: Therapeutic Uses of Music and the Wellbeing of Adolescents

The author of this review paper critically discusses the Handbook of Music, Adoles­cents, and Wellbeing, edited by Katrina McFerran, Philippa Derrington, and Suvi Saarikallio (2019). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the strengths and limi­tations of the volume, which, drawing upon empirical, practical, theoretical, and personal perspectives from the fields of music therapy, music psychology, music cognition, and music sociology, explores the therapeutic role of music in the lives of adolescents. Moreover, an attempt is made to highlight the most valuable obser­vations and learnings which a non-clinician might glean from the book in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The author hopes that future collections on music, ado­lescence, and wellbeing will rebalance their research towards more cultural, socio-economic, and musical diversity to ensure that marginalised voices are heard.