May 28, 2019
Ola Olaniyan, manager of the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at the QEII Hospital, tries his hand at the guitar in the new music room.
Story and photo by Sara Blake
GRANDE PRAIRIE — Music has power. A few tasty notes with a shot of rhythm can change minds, moods and even lives. For patients at the QEII Hospital, a new music room lets them explore melody as a multi-sensory experience to support their mental well-being.
Set in the Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, the special room boasts guitars, an electric piano and a drum set, as well as an iPad loaded with musical apps to drive the creative process. Surrounded by murals by local artists, the space serves up inspiration and encourages patients to try the instruments as an outlet.
Mitch Dysart, a recreation therapist with AHS Addictions and Mental Health, helped bring the music room to life, by coordinating the set-up, programming and policies to go along with the new offering.
The room isn’t just for people who already play an instrument or feel musically inclined.
“Some of our patients will use the music room for de-escalation, while others will use it for sensory stimulation,” says Dysart. “A lot of people simply enjoy musical exploration and the tactile experience of strumming a guitar or hitting the drums or striking the piano keys.”
Generous community support through the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation bought equipment for the room from Music Centre Canada and Long & McQuade music stores, who also contributed some ideas for the space.
Keith Curtis, executive director of the foundation, says the music-room project highlights the many ways in which healthcare is changing.
“One of these changes is the emphasis on mental health — and we saw this project as an opportunity to solidify our commitment to the journey of change,” he says. “With mental health support in such high demand, it felt good to be able to support the music room as a step towards confirming the foundation’s commitment to this growing need.”
A local contractor also contributed by installing flooring and building a bench for budding musicians, while AHS Facilities and Maintenance staff assisted with various wall mounts. In addition, two local artists donated their time and talents to add colour and inspiration through two wall murals.
Initially, the room will be used for one-on-one patient sessions, with the possibility group sessions down the road.
“It’s for mental health and I think we all have a bit of experience with that, one way or another,” says artist Dalen Chmilar.
“I didn’t realize how much this piece would touch me,” adds artist Serena Love, whose work also adorns the room. “I’m really grateful to be a part of this project.”
Ola Olaniyan, Inpatient Psychiatry unit manager, says their longstanding goal is to improve patients’ lives — and music is certainly one way to feed the soul.
“We’re so grateful to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation and our AHS leaders for believing in our dreams towards making life better for members of our community who are experiencing addiction and mental health-related challenges.”
