TV and radio personality, podcaster and SANE Board Director Osher Günsberg is calling for people to share their top song that’s had a positive impact on their mental health.
Günsberg is a familiar face in the Australian music scene with former hosting roles on Channel [V], Australian Idol, Take 40 Australia and the Hit Network.
The songs will be added to a playlist which will celebrate the power of music in improving moods.
“As someone who used to play music all the time in all kinds of bands, music is an outlet I’ve used for a lot of my life to get good feelings in or bad feelings out,” Günsberg said.
“Nothing can give you goosebumps faster than the right lyric with the right chorus – and that can change your whole day.”
Günsberg is passionate about reducing stigma around mental illness and speaks openly about his experiences with anxiety, psychosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“Sometimes when my anxiety starts piling up on itself, I put on some exceedingly heavy Viking Metal (it’s a whole genre to itself) then I get on my bike and smash out super-intense intervals while listening to gallopy songs about rowboats and dragons and swords and things,” Günsberg said.
“I always feel better afterwards.”
SANE and Gandel Philanthropy have partnered with Anglesea Performing Arts Ensemble to present The Hope Song – a play which shares how music has impacted the lives of seven people living with often-misunderstood mental illnesses at La Mama Theatre from February 21-25. Purchase tickets at: www.lamama.com.au.
What’s song has had a positive impact on your mental health and why? Tell SANE on their Facebook page.
Osher’s top five songs:
Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips
Wayne Coyne’s simple philosophy of life put into one of the most wonderful songs ever written. This song turns my frown upside down.
The Number of The Beast – Iron Maiden
Sometimes when I get all pent up to get my head straight I get on my bike and go hard out. This music helps me get that energy out of my body.
Mahler’s 9th Symphony – Benjamin Zander Philharmonia Orchestra
Truly one of the most glorious symphonies ever written, conducted by one of the greatest artists we get to share a planet with. Pure emotive symphonic expression performed brilliantly. I defy you to not get goosebumps.
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
Sometimes you need to just dance around the room. This is possibly the most perfect pop song of the last decade and it works a treat to sing along to and pretend you’re in the music video for it.
Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
This was the first dance at our wedding. I hear it and remember holding Audrey in my arms as we looked into each other’s eyes as husband and wife for the first time every time I hear it.
The Hope Song details:
VENUE: La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St, Carlton
DATES AND TIMES: February 21 - 25; Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm | Sat & Sun 3.00pm
TICKETS: $30 Full / $20 Concession
DURATION: Approx. 95 minutes
Written by Janet Brown
Directed by Iris Walshe-Howling and Janine McKenzie
Performed by Philip Besancon, Stacey Carmichael, Stuart Errey, Simon Finch, Lina Libroaperto, Libby Stapleton, Nikki Watson and Kieran Tobin (musician)
ENDS
SANE is a national mental health charity working to support four million Australians affected by complex mental illness including schizophrenia, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression and anxiety.
To find out more about The Hope Song, please contact:
Ellen Sproule
Senior Media and PR Advisor at SANE
Phone: 0407 367 215
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