10 Ways Art and Music Therapy Serve as Pathways Away from Suicidal Thinking

Kathryn September 12, 2025

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For individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, traditional therapy can feel overwhelming. Finding words for pain is not always possible, and verbal processing alone may not fully capture the depth of despair. This is where creative therapies become essential. Art and music therapy as pathways away from suicidal thinking offer alternative ways of expressing emotion, building resilience, and reconnecting with meaning. Through color, sound, rhythm, and creativity, individuals discover new possibilities for healing and hope.

Here are ten ways art and music therapy support people living with suicidal ideation.

1. Giving Voice to the Unspeakable

Suicidal thoughts often live in silence, hidden from others out of shame or fear. Art and music provide nonverbal pathways for expressing feelings that may be impossible to articulate. A painting or a piece of music can communicate despair or longing without requiring explanation. This externalization reduces isolation and creates opportunities for understanding.

Case example: A young adult unable to talk about suicidal thoughts paints a black-and-red abstract canvas. Later, the therapist helps them notice how adding streaks of white reflects a longing for hope, even when words cannot capture it.

2. Creating Distance From Despair

When suicidal ideation dominates, it can feel as if pain defines identity. Creative expression helps separate the person from the suffering. A song or painting becomes a container for emotions, providing distance between the self and the suicidal thoughts. This separation allows individuals to engage with their feelings more safely.

Case example: A client writes lyrics describing despair as a “shadow.” Seeing it as something separate opens space to talk about how shadows can shift with light.

3. Releasing Emotional Intensity

Music and art provide safe outlets for overwhelming emotions. Drumming, for example, offers a physical release of anger or grief, while painting with bold colors may channel intensity into creative form. This release prevents emotions from being bottled up, reducing the pressure that often fuels suicidal urges.

Case example: Someone feeling consumed by anger pounds rhythms on a drum until their body relaxes, shifting from destructive impulses to creative energy.

4. Fostering Mindfulness and Presence

Art and music therapy often involve mindful focus on the creative process. Whether it is paying attention to brush strokes or listening deeply to musical notes, creativity anchors individuals in the present moment. For those living with suicidal thinking, this mindfulness interrupts cycles of rumination and creates moments of calm.

Case example: In therapy, a client traces the slow movements of a pencil sketch, noticing how their breathing slows along with the pace of their drawing.

5. Building Self-Compassion

Perfectionism and self-criticism frequently underlie suicidal ideation. Art and music therapy invite playfulness and experimentation, reminding individuals that mistakes are part of the process. The emphasis shifts from product to expression, nurturing gentleness toward oneself. Over time, this fosters self-compassion, a key protective factor against suicide.

Case example: A client who once tore up “imperfect” drawings begins saving them, later realizing that even unfinished work holds meaning and value.

6. Strengthening Connection With Others

Many art and music therapy sessions occur in groups. Sharing creative work in a supportive environment builds community and reduces isolation. For individuals who feel disconnected or invisible, the experience of being witnessed through art or music creates meaningful bonds. Even in individual sessions, the therapist’s presence as a nonjudgmental witness fosters connection.

Case example: In a group music session, clients co-create a song. One person who often feels voiceless sings a line that others echo back, experiencing belonging in real time.

7. Accessing Resilience Through Symbolism

Creative expression often taps into symbols, metaphors, and imagery that reveal hidden strengths. A client might draw a tree with deep roots or write lyrics about surviving storms. These symbolic expressions can uncover resilience that was previously unnoticed, offering new narratives of endurance and hope.

Case example: A survivor of trauma paints a bridge spanning rough waters, symbolizing their capacity to endure challenges and move toward calmer ground.

8. Enhancing Emotional Regulation

Art and music naturally engage the nervous system. Slow rhythms, soothing melodies, or repetitive creative movements can regulate physiological arousal. This is particularly important for individuals whose suicidal thoughts are linked to trauma or emotional dysregulation. Over time, these practices expand capacity for calm and balance.

Case example: A client listens to calming instrumental music while drawing soft shapes, noticing their heartbeat steady and anxiety decrease.

9. Reconnecting With Joy and Creativity

Suicidal despair often extinguishes joy and curiosity. Creative therapy reignites these experiences by reminding individuals of their capacity to create beauty and meaning. Even small creative acts, such as humming a tune or sketching on paper, become reminders that life still holds possibilities for pleasure.

Case example: A client who once loved singing but abandoned it during depression rediscovers joy by humming along to favorite childhood songs in therapy.

10. Cultivating Meaning and Purpose

At its core, art and music therapy help individuals rediscover meaning. Suicidal ideation often arises from a crisis of purpose. Through creativity, people reconnect with personal values, cultural traditions, or collective experiences that remind them of their place in the world. This reconnection becomes a lifeline that counters despair.

Case example: A client creates artwork inspired by cultural traditions, experiencing renewed pride in heritage and a sense of belonging larger than themselves.

Practical Tools in Everyday Life

While art and music therapy are most effective when practiced with a trained therapist, many of their principles can be applied in everyday life. Simple creative activities can become grounding tools, sources of release, and reminders of resilience. The following practices illustrate how creativity can serve as a bridge from despair toward hope. They are not substitutes for professional care, but they can be meaningful supports when integrated into a broader plan for healing.

  • Keeping a sketchbook to draw emotions instead of bottling them up

  • Creating a playlist of songs for comfort, strength, or release

  • Writing poetry or free-form lyrics as a way to explore difficult feelings

  • Using clay or other tactile materials to release tension through touch

  • Engaging in mindful coloring to slow down ruminative thoughts

  • Singing or humming when overwhelmed to steady breath and nervous system

  • Taking photos of meaningful or calming images to build a visual “hope album”

  • Journaling with doodles or song lyrics to mix verbal and nonverbal processing

  • Drumming or tapping rhythms when anger or energy feels uncontainable

The Therapist’s Role in Art and Music Therapy

Although creativity can be healing on its own, trained art and music therapists provide a structured and safe container for exploration. They help clients make meaning from their creations, avoid being overwhelmed by emotion, and connect creative work to therapeutic goals. Therapists are attuned to signs of crisis and can guide individuals back to regulation if expression becomes too intense.

Therapists may:

  • Invite reflection on the symbols or images that emerge

  • Use music improvisation to mirror and validate feelings

  • Encourage movement between chaos and order in artwork to model regulation

  • Support clients in sharing creations with others when appropriate to reduce isolation

In this way, therapy transforms creative acts into deeper processes of healing, connection, and meaning-making.

Why Creative Therapies Matter in Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention must address more than crisis intervention. It must create spaces where individuals can express, connect, and rediscover meaning. Art and music therapy offer precisely this. By honoring the human drive to create, they provide an accessible and deeply healing pathway away from despair.

Creative therapies align with well-established protective factors in suicide prevention research: they reduce isolation, build coping skills, restore connection to meaning, and strengthen emotional regulation. By engaging body, mind, and spirit, art and music therapy help people imagine and experience a future beyond suicidal pain.

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FAQ: Art and Music Therapy for Suicidal Ideation

Before diving in, it is important to clarify: art and music therapy are not crisis interventions. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger due to suicidal thoughts, call 988 in the United States or seek local emergency support. Creative therapies are best understood as part of ongoing treatment, helping people find expression, regulation, and connection over time.

How is art and music therapy different from simply being creative on my own?

While painting, journaling, or listening to music on your own can be beneficial, art and music therapy involve working with trained professionals who use specific techniques to guide the process. A therapist helps create a safe environment, supports you when strong emotions surface, and draws connections between your creative expressions and the struggles you are facing. For example, you might paint an image of despair, and the therapist could help you explore what colors, shapes, or themes symbolize for you, deepening self-understanding. Without a therapist, you may still find relief, but therapy provides structure, reflection, and support in moments that could otherwise feel overwhelming.

Can art and music therapy really reduce suicidal thoughts?

Yes, growing research shows that creative therapies can significantly reduce feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and emotional dysregulation, which are often core drivers of suicidal ideation. By providing safe outlets for expression and connecting clients to meaning and community, art and music therapy build protective factors. While therapy cannot guarantee that suicidal thoughts will disappear entirely, it gives individuals more tools to cope, regulate emotions, and reconnect with reasons to live. Over time, many people experience a reduction in both the intensity and frequency of suicidal urges.

What happens in a typical art therapy session?

An art therapy session might involve drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, or other creative media. The focus is not on making something aesthetically pleasing but on using art as a vehicle for expression and exploration. A therapist may ask you to create an image of your feelings, memories, or hopes, then guide reflection on what emerges. For example, someone may create a chaotic scribble that mirrors their internal turmoil, and through discussion, they may notice emerging themes of strength or longing for calm. The therapist’s role is to help you feel safe, to witness your process without judgment, and to help integrate what is expressed into your healing journey.

What happens in a typical music therapy session?

Music therapy sessions vary widely. They can involve listening to music, songwriting, improvisation, drumming, or guided imagery with music. For individuals with suicidal ideation, music can help regulate mood, release tension, and foster connection. For instance, you may co-create a song with the therapist, using lyrics to externalize despair and melodies to find hope. Group music therapy might involve improvising rhythms together, which fosters belonging and reduces isolation. Like art therapy, the focus is not on performance but on using sound as a medium for healing.

Do I need to be “good” at art or music to benefit from these therapies?

Absolutely not. Art and music therapy are not about talent or performance. They are about process, not product. Many people believe they “cannot draw” or “do not have rhythm,” but in therapy, the goal is expression, not mastery. Therapists are skilled at helping you engage creatively in ways that feel safe and empowering, regardless of experience level. A single brushstroke or a single drumbeat can carry meaning. The point is to use creativity as a language for your emotions, not to create something for display.

How do creative therapies affect the brain and nervous system?

Neuroscience shows that engaging in art and music activates multiple regions of the brain, including those linked to reward, memory, and emotional regulation. Creating art stimulates the prefrontal cortex, which supports decision-making and self-regulation, while music can influence the limbic system, reducing stress hormones like cortisol and promoting dopamine release associated with pleasure and reward. For people experiencing suicidal ideation, this neurological activation can counterbalance hopelessness, calm an overactive stress response, and help rewire patterns of despair into patterns of resilience.

Are art and music therapy safe for someone actively suicidal?

Yes, but only within the context of a comprehensive safety plan and professional care. These therapies should never replace crisis stabilization or medical interventions when needed. However, within a supportive therapeutic framework, art and music therapy are safe ways to explore and release emotions. A trained therapist will ensure the process does not become overwhelming, will monitor for signs of crisis, and will help the individual stay grounded. For someone in acute crisis, creative therapies may be paused until safety is restored, then reintroduced gradually as part of ongoing healing.

How are art and music therapy integrated with other forms of treatment?

Art and music therapy are rarely used in isolation. They are often part of a broader treatment plan that may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, or somatic approaches. For example, someone might use art therapy to externalize feelings of despair, then use CBT to challenge the thoughts underlying those emotions. Music therapy might help regulate the nervous system, while DBT provides practical tools for distress tolerance. Together, these approaches ensure that both expression and coping strategies are addressed.

What if art or music brings up painful emotions?

This is a common concern. Sometimes engaging creatively can stir up memories, grief, or overwhelming emotions. This is why the presence of a therapist is so important. They provide a safe container, help regulate your nervous system, and remind you that difficult feelings are part of the healing process. Rather than avoiding pain, art and music therapy provide a structured way to approach it, process it, and release it safely. Over time, individuals often find that confronting emotions through creativity makes them feel less overwhelming.

Can I try art or music therapy at home if I cannot access a therapist?

Yes, there are many ways to adapt creative practices for self-care. You might keep a sketchbook to externalize difficult feelings, create playlists for different moods, or write simple poems or lyrics to process your thoughts. Journaling with doodles, mindful coloring, or humming when anxious are also effective tools. While these practices do not replace therapy, they can be valuable daily supports. Free community groups, online resources, and guided exercises are also available for people who cannot access professional art or music therapy.

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