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‘Do, Re, Mental Health’ – Harmonising Well-being with Music

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

Six Kovsies played at CUCSA Games

2010-07-28

Willem Steenkamp
Photo: Supplied

Six students from the University of the Free State (UFS) were included in the SA Student Tennis Team that participated in the 15th Confederation of University and College Sport Association (CUCSA) Games in Gaborone, Botswana, this year.

The six Kovsies who participated in the tournament against players from nine other countries were Duke Munro, Reon Henning, Willem Steenkamp, PW Holtzhausen, Christine Keyser en Rensia Henning. Each of the 10 countries that participated entered two players for the singles and a doubles pair for the doubles.

Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi, Lesotho and Mozambique were also represented at the games.

PW and Willem beat the doubles pair from Zimbabwe 6-1,6-1 in the finals and Duke beat Reon 6-0, 3-6 and 6-3 in the singles final. Christine and her doubles partner won the doubles final 6-1, 6-1. Rensia lost 6-4, 4-6 and 6-4 in the final of the ladies singles.

According to Ms Janine de Kock, from KovsieSport, the results of these games will be considered during the finalization of the SA team that will participate in the World Student Games in Beijing in 2011

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