The Mental Health Department will be holding a cake stall in the foyer of the Main Hospital from 10am-12pm on Thursday, 7 May 2015 as part of its fundraising drive for the Scrubs Run.

Funds raised will be directed to a musical therapy program to improve social and mental well-being, as well as teaching creative skills to facilitate empowerment, self-sufficiency and aid long-term recovery.

Social isolation can be one of the most debilitating effects of mental illness.

Inpatient group music therapy can help break don causes of isolation and alleviate hospital-related anxiety, fostering creativity and self-expression in patients who often have difficulty in expressing themselves verbally.

After a pilot program funded by a philanthropic grant, participation in the music therapy program was found to improve social and mental wellbeing , and in addition, participants learnt creative skills which will facilitate empowerment, self-sufficiency and aid in their long-term recovery.

This grant will finish in June 2015 and funds are needed to continue to provide a “voice” to people experiencing mental illness who have little opportunity to be heard.