World Mental Health Day 2024 virtual sing-along event
World Mental Health Day this year was marked by the University of York with a special sing-along event with the incredible Sofa Singers.
Prof Lina Gega, IMRY Director joined the virtual community 'The Sofa Singers' for a special sing-along event on 10 October, World Mental Health Day. The Sofa Singers are passionate advocates for the benefits of coming together and singing and the event was jointly organised with the University's York for Life Team (part of the Office for Philanthropic Parternships and Alumni (OPPA)). Prof Gega spoke during the event about her career working in mental health and about the establishment of IMRY and its mission to improve the lives and care of anyone affected by mental health problems. Participants heard how the University is at the cutting edge of mental health research with projects spanning many disciplines, some developing and evaluating new interventions and others seeking to better understand and mitigate risks to mental health. They also found out about the Mentally Fit York Fund and the differences that the projects it has supported have been making to the lives of people in the York area and further afield.
Participants left the session feeling uplifted and with a greater awareness of how singing and sharing creativity can have a powerful impact on our overall health.
About The Sofa Singers
Founded by choir leader James Sills in March 2020, The Sofa Singers began as a response to the self-isolation during the Covid 19 pandemic and has become a vibrant global community, connecting hundreds of people across the world every week.