Instrumental: Music & Mental Health
An innovative digital resource for youth.
Instrumental: Music and Mental Health is a digital initiative for youth and teens to raise awareness and promote the value of music as a powerful aid to mental health, and to help them cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Instrumental was inspired by British pianist and best-selling author James Rhodes, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, who has documented his use of music as a path toward mental health. The Foundation presented his first Canadian appearances in early 2020.
The interactive site includes extensive and wide-ranging content on many aspects of music and mental health, including self-care strategies, user-generated content, videos by respected professionals in the field, lively illustrations and graphic material by artists and illustrators, and a full suite of social media platforms.
The Glenn Gould Foundation partnered with the Canadian Association for Mental Health, the Canadian Association of Music Therapists, and various other organizations to create this research-backed and professionally vetted resource.
Donald K. Johnson
Jackman Foundation
“Instrumental is a beautifully designed resource presented in a way that will speak meaningfully to teens. Thanks are due to The Glenn Gould Foundation for this gift to youth, the community, musicians, (and musicians to be), and music therapists.”
– Jennifer Buchanan, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Music Therapists
“Music is what got me through some of the toughest times in my life, and I can tell you that music quite literally saved my life. Instrumental is a place you can go online, designed to help teens use music as part of their way of dealing with mental health issues. I’m at my happiest when I’m sitting at the piano, playing or even just listening to amazing music. I really believe that music holds the power to change our lives. It brings relief, and helps us find the bliss, even when life is feeling very bleak. I hope you’ll take advantage of this new resource, and let music work its magic in your life. It’s a very exciting, very beautiful project.”
-James Rhodes, concert pianist and bestselling author