Places of Change
by Benny Z.

becomes much more efficient. This conveys the importance of mental health, because to feel comfortable in public spaces, one first needs to be comfortable and relaxed on their own. Practicing positive mental health provides children with the comfort and confidence to succeed academically. 

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My fifteenth birthday, when I first pressed the keys in on my brand-new electric piano, was the beginning of my musical journey. Since then, my connection to instruments and the beautiful sounds they create has grown remarkably. There is still so much I want to learn, and so much for me to discover. Although, the notion that music and mental health have a deep-rooted connection became very clear to me during my time with my piano, and I can confidently say that holds true because it works for me. I still play the piano because every time I sit down on that bench, I feel a calming sense of freedom. Freedom from my thoughts, freedom from the stresses in my life, and freedom from any sadness I may be feeling, because when I focus on my fingers and the keys, the rest of the world can take the backseat. It allows me to ground myself in the present, calm myself, and appreciate the beauty in front of me. This is not the only way I find peace in music. When I experience moments of procrastination, I can put on my headphones, listen to some instrumental music, and that would help me in calming my mind and directing my attention toward the work that needs to be completed. 

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Drawing on these experiences that have been so beneficial to me in recent years, I want to bring about change in schools through instrumental music so that students can access the resources they need to cope with the mental struggles they face in their stories.