Hundreds of students from the University of Media, Arts & Communications-Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-GIJ) on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, stormed the Natalia Andoh Foundation’s inaugural Creative Arts and Mental Health Dialogue.
Ahead of the highly anticipated event at the University’s North Dzorwulu campus, Natalia Nana Ama Andoh, founder of the Natalia Andoh Foundation, received a warm welcome as she prepared to guide students through the dynamic intersection of creativity and mental health awareness.
The event, organized by the Natalia Andoh Foundation and powered by The New Accra (TNA) Communications, witnessed an overflow of enthusiastic UniMAC-GIJ students, predominantly newcomers, at the Seminar Room chosen as the venue for the dialogue.
Mastering the ceremony was radio personality Prince Benjamin (PB), creating an engaging atmosphere for the dialogue.
In his welcome address, uniMAC-IJ Counsellor Godfred Arko Osei expressed the institution’s delight in partnering with the Natalia Andoh Foundation to enhance students’ understanding of mental wellbeing. He outlined the purpose of the gathering and set the stage for the following insightful discussions.
Natalia Andoh, a radio & TV personality, entrepreneur, and certified counselling psychologist, took centre stage to share her expertise on mental health. She illuminated the holistic nature of mental soundness, covering the mind, emotions, and actions. Ms Andoh delved into the unique challenges faced by creative individuals, attributing their heightened risk of mental health issues to the intertwining of creativity and negative emotions within the same brain region.
The presentation aimed not to instil fear but to educate and empower, addressing various forms of mental challenges such as anxiety disorders, mania, suicidal thoughts, and depression. Ms Andoh underscored the importance of timely identification and constructive responses to these challenges, urging individuals to seek help from trusted sources, especially trained counsellors or psychologists.
Guest speaker John Foley, also known as Jay Foley, shared his personal journey in the creative arts industry, dispelling notions of an easy path to success. Foley candidly recounted his experiences, from making tough choices in university to working pro bono for numerous media establishments. He highlighted his career’s challenges, successes, and stressful moments, emphasizing the significance of lifestyle changes for mental well-being.
Foley’s address resonated with the audience, as he discussed stress management, coping with pressure, and the need for empathetic friends and associates. He urged students to be considerate on social media, recognizing the limitations of public knowledge about celebrities’ lives.
The three-hour Creative Arts & Mental Health Dialogue concluded with a robust question and answer session, where students expressed concerns about stress management, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, and suicide tendencies.
The inaugural dialogue , not only enriched students’ understanding of mental health but also fostered a collaborative environment for discussing the intersection of mental well-being and the creative arts industry.
Source:newsalertgh