Mental health: Not Done
Article: The effect of group therapy on quality of life for participants living with a severe and enduring mental illness

Development: Childhood is one the most critical times for development. Unfortunetly, we live in a world where not all infants are born healthy. Some children spend a large amount of time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, which creates a higher risk for developmental delays. While these infants are not going to be able to play a Beethoven Sonata anytime soon, music therapy is still beneficial to ensure developmental milestones are met. Music therapy is a chance for these kids to socialize, and enforce positive interactions with their parents. 

Aging Related Conditions: Not done.

Nonprofit for Music Therapy: Children's Music Fund is a nonprofit organization that works to provide music therapy programs to children suffering from chronic illnesses in an effort to increase their quality of life. Children's Music Fund connect patients to music therapists, gifts instruments, and supports and conducts research on the integration of music in healthcare. 

Challenges to Music Therapy: Covid-19 has had a large impact on music therapy. Music therapy cannot occur normally unless everyone is distanced and wearing a mask. For some people, wearing a mask is simply not possible. However, the overlying issue is that masks create a large barrier than can hinder the desired results of music therapy. For infants, facial expressions are key towards development. However, for someone with an aging related disease, an abundance of masked individuals can be overbearing and confusing.