For Immediate Release (Nashville, TN) — According to the American Psychological Association, 41% of adults in the U.S. say their stress increases during the holiday season which heightens the risk of illness, substance abuse, and higher rates of anxiety and depression. Social isolation is one of the biggest triggers of depression, and many people become keenly aware of the loss of a loved one during the holidays. According to Steve Siler, founder of the non-profit company MUSIC FOR THE SOUL, several counseling centers will be utilizing his latest recording “What Hope Says” to assist in helping their patients with what some term the “holiday blues.”

The songs on “What Hope Says” were written to provide solace and hope to those who struggle with anxiety year-round. Endorsed by the American Association of Christian Counselors, MUSIC FOR THE SOUL has produced 20 full-length projects in addition to single songs. Their contributing writers have a combined 173 #1 CCM radio singles and 22 Dove Awards. In addition to music, they also provide discussion guides written by professional Christian therapists, devotionals, spoken word, testimonials, books, and music videos.

"’What Hope Says’ is absolutely a hands down winner,” says Christian therapist, Vicky Didato. “I am using it with my clients. There is something for everybody. It's a healing buffet.”

“I see more clients struggling with depression around the holidays than at other times,” says Sue Foster, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. “I'm looking forward to sharing songs from ‘What Hope Says’.”

Siler says the therapists he works with tell him that music often speeds up the healing process.

“God has designed us so that a song is uniquely able to communicate healing,” says Siler. “Language (lyrics) is processed primarily in the left hemisphere of the brain. Melody is processed primarily in the right hemisphere of the brain. As it turns out, that is where our trauma is held. So, when I talk to you, I’m only getting half of your brain and it’s not the half where your trauma lives. But if I sing a song to someone, I’m speaking to the whole brain, and the music can seep through the cracks in that wall of defense and gently open their heart where we can lay a healing message. And because melody and rhythm are memory devices, whatever I sing to you is going to have a far greater chance of being remembered.”

Siler says the songs on “What Hope Says” are all very diverse and don’t fall into a specific genre of music.

“Whenever we do a full-length topical project for the ministry, we always approach it using what I call the arc of healing,” says Siler. “We start by writing songs that address what it feels like to be trapped in pain. That’s because I’ve learned that people will not trust you with their hope until you demonstrate that you understand their pain. From there, we take the listener on a journey through the key steps in the healing process as identified by our consulting Christian therapists. The arrangement and recording style of each song is determined by what will best convey the message of the lyrics. We arrive at the end of the arc by sharing a message of hope in Christ.”

In addition to the release of "What Hope Says," MUSIC FOR THE SOUL has made their entire catalog available for a gift of any amount to churches, counseling centers, as well as the general public. Their music projects have covered 44 different topics including abortion remorse, eating disorders, pornography addiction, caregiving, grief, miscarriage, and suicide, to name a few.

"I never want anyone to go away without taking something they need because they feel they can’t afford it," says Siler. "The main thing is that these 225 recordings we have produced touch people with hope and healing. This new approach is about making these resources more widely available to serve those who need them. Making them completely free would suggest they have no value, when they have already proven to be invaluable for so many people over the years through the countless testimonies we have received.”

For more information about "What Hope Says" and to access Music for the Soul's resources, visit https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/.

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