PM2065: Enhancing Psychological Resilience in a High School Setting Through a Program of Rhythmic Drumming for Mindfulness

Purpose/Objectives: Over the last decade, adolescents and teenagers have experienced unprecedented psychological stresses stemming from academic pressures, financial hardships and stress in their families, fears of deportation of parents or themselves, and the increasing social and peer pressures which are recognized to have increased during recent years. Many teenagers come to school hungry, without adequate sleep, from dysfunctional households, and with personal stress that they lack the resources to deal with. In this state, it is difficult to engage in the learning process in the classroom.

Design/Methods: In response to the psychological distress perceived in her students, one of the co-authors (JD - a 35-year veteran high school psychology and child development teacher) inaugurated a program of mindfulness training for her students based upon the use of rhythmic drumming as utilized in her transpersonal healing practice. The high school administration supported the creation of a 'mindfulness room' which was decorated by the students. She purchased a set of Buffalo drums for the students and inaugurated a drumming circle. Students were asked to write their experiences at the end of the semester. Parents gave permission for their high school age children to participate in the mindful drumming program.

Results: Sample experience reported by the students (more available for presentation):
"...drumming has helped me get through pain...pain of headaches and pain of losing people I love"
"The day Ms Din drummed for my class was the day I realized it was okay to show and release all of these mixed emotions"
"When she started drumming, I started to doze off....I woke up crying...the tears did not make me feel upset or [unhappy], but more of a relief. The part of me waking up crying day after day occurred day after day for a whole week. And now because of that one week I feel much lighter..."
A student with migraines said: "Ms Din took us to the mindfulness classroom where she focused her drumming on my headache. Within about 15 to 20 minutes of [drumming] meditation my pain was gone and I was ready to go on with the rest of my day.

Conclusion/Discussion: This innovative drumming program within a public high school in an agricultural community demonstrated great acceptance by the students and school administration. It provided a support of comfort and inner healing for students who would other just grit their teeth and get through another day of school. Although the pandemic has disrupted this activity, creating a drumming circle or similar path to guide teenagers to mindfulness within the school setting has potential to address some of the psychological distress experienced by children today.