Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
10 September 2020 | Story Barend Nagel | Photo Barend Nagel

There is a notable quote by one of the most prolific and influential composers ever, that says: 

“The music is not in the notes,
but in the silence in between.”
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart’s proclamation is relevant, now more than ever. In many cases, we may not realise that those who are more silent than others are most likely faced with adversity in terms of their mental health.

To counteract this silence, UFS Clinical Psychologist, Angela Vorster from the School of Clinical Medicine, devised the UFS Medical Students ‘Unplugged’ initiative as part of a larger campaign. Vorster says the campaign creates an opportunity to encourage students to reconnect with their soulful side.

“Each year we choose a mental-health issue and focus our theme on raising awareness – e.g. suicide awareness.” This year’s theme is ‘In my blood’ depression and anxiety awareness. Sadly, the 2020 ‘Unplugged’ event had to be cancelled due to the unfortunate (and mentally taxing) circumstances we are currently facing around the globe. Nonetheless, Vorster’s evident compassion and benevolence towards individuals’ mental health did not allow the pandemic to discourage her from finding innovative ways of keeping harmony.

“Once we all returned to a 'new normal', I invited our students to submit recordings of their music. This then became a channel of its own on YouTube – and we could not be prouder of our musically talented students.” According to Vorster, research and literature have established that music has a significant impact on relieving emotional distress and improving our moods. “It became evident during therapy sessions how important music is in helping our students express their emotions, relax, and also engage their creativity,” says Vorster.

With Mental Health Month inching it’s way closer, and World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we should all embrace the ‘magic’ of music and the positive effects it has on our psychological and mental well-being. So, turn up the volume and defeat the silence in your life with your favourite music. Play an instrument, turn up the volume on your iPod, sing in the shower, or watch the UFS Students ‘Unplugged’ videos on YouTube; allow music to heal your ‘silences in between’.

 


News Archive

Prof. Van Coller elected to panel of the Humanities
2008-12-04

Prof. Hennie van Coller, Head of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French at the UFS, was recently elected to the consensus panel of the Humanities, under the guidance of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (Assaf). The panel will investigate the situation in the Humanities that resulted from the perception that it is experiencing crises worldwide. In certain circles it is not regarded as a science, remuneration systems within the Humanities compares poorly with other sectors and funding is difficult to obtain. This whilst issues pertaining to humanities are in the foreground in South Africa, such as the issues regarding the handling of Aids, crime, illiteracy, violence and unemployment.

The panel’s work will stretch over the next 18 months and a report will be handed to government. The panel of experts from across South Africa is under chairmanship of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, former dean at the University of Pretoria, and also includes among others two international experts.

 

 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept