Mother of overdose victim is calling for a therapeutic music program in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Sherry Robinson says if her son Tyler could have accessed a therapeutic music program it might have saved his life.

The mother from Pinantan Lake brought her message to Kamloops today, July 24, as she spoke to both the Rotary Club as well as the Canadian Mental Health Association about creating a therapeutic music program to support people dealing with addiction.

“When he was in his full addiction and needed to leave the home and he was more displaced he lost that coping tool: access to music,” says Robinson.

“It really makes me wonder if we had more social opportunities in Kamloops, he would have been the kind of person that would have gone and picked up a guitar or just listened to music and it could have helped him.”

The general manager of The Canadian Mental Health Association in Kamloops Christa Mullaly says they are hoping to launch a therapeutic music program at some point this fall.

“It will probably be after hours at our current space,” says Mullaly. “Part of our intent will be bringing local musicians together as well as people in the community who are currently using music to help battle addiction.”

She goes on to say the space will have instruments on hand for people to play, recorded music to listen to, and potentially even some music lessons if they get enough support from local musicians.

Robinson and Mullaly are also promoting the upcoming Overdose Awareness Day. It will be held in Kamloops on August 31 at Riverside park before, during, and after Music In The Park.

Find past stories on Sherry and her son Tyler here.

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