Tullamore native highlights mental health benefits of joining a choir

Turn2Me, a national mental health charity led by Tullamore native Fiona O'Malley, is encouraging people to sign up to sing in a choir, saying it can have mental health benefits.

The charity listed the advantages of being in a choir, which can include a strengthened feeling of community, a reduction in stress levels, and an improved feeling of social wellbeing.

"Joining a choir can bring a feeling of inclusiveness, collegiality and pride after performing," said Fiona, who is the CEO of Turn2Me.

"It is also a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

"Many people struggle making new friends when they finish secondary school or college, because these are environments where we're forced to spend time with people in our classes, and friendships grow organically. When these social structures are taken away, people can struggle to make new friends."

The charity referenced a study titled 'It's better together: The psychological benefits of singing in a choir' by Nick Stewart and Adam Lonsdale, which compared choral singing to two other relevant leisure activities, solo singing and playing a team sport.

Questionnaire data from 375 participants indicated that choral singers and team sport players reported significantly higher psychological well-being than solo singers.

Choral singers also reported that they considered their choirs to be a more coherent or 'meaningful' social group than team sport players considered their teams.

Fiona stated that there will be a great concert in aid of Turn2Me with the Belle Harmonics Pop Rock Choir on September 29 in the Pepper Cannister Church, Dublin. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7:30pm.

Belle Harmonics Pop Rock Choir is a dynamic 30-member group that performs songs by artists like Sia, Kate Bush, Beyonce, and Fleetwood Mac.

Formed in 2018, the choir is already well known to the stages and festivals of Dublin, recently performing to sold-out audiences in the Grand Social and The Sugar Club.

All funds raised at the concert next month will go towards Turn2Me, which offers people free counselling services. Tickets can be booked here.