Mauritian music therapy: conceptual framework of a promising movement

Stella clavisque Maris Indici (Star and key of the Indian Ocean)1 is the official motto of this young and flourishing republic,2 which has an eventful history, a colourful culture and striking ethnic hallmarks. Looking back over challenging times under Dutch, French and British colonial rule, the multicultural features of the Republic of Mauritius are also mirrored in a promising new movement: Mauritian music therapy (MMT). Although music therapy is not yet recognised as a clinical therapy or an autonomous discipline in Mauritian public health and educational systems, there is a growing awareness of the need for music therapy in psychiatric, paediatric and educational, geriatric, neurorehabilitative and other public health domains. Additionally, local issues such as the depression-related distress of adolescent Mauritian girls (Pillay, Bundhoo & Bhowon 2010) and self-harm and suicide among young Mauritians (Naga 2007; Mauritius Research Council 2015) remain challenging. To deal with pressing psychological, psychiatric and humanitarian issues, the Mauritius Mental Health Association was founded in 1959, when the island was still a British colony. Raising public awareness of mental illness and disability was the main aim at that time, and MMT addresses similar challenges today: to enhance public awareness and understanding of the health-promoting and curative potential of music. In 1974 the Mauritius Mental Health Association was recognised in legislation passed by Parliament. Core objectives of this governmental association are to promote satisfactory education for children with intellectual disabilities, to assess and develop their intellectual and functional capacities, to enhance their potential for inclusion in society, and to give support to their families.