We often talk about mental health as if it is an issue that stands apart from other personal, national, and global concerns. But, like every aspect of our existance, everything is connected. And so, all too often, issues that we tag as belonging solely to the realm of mental health are driven by financial struggles, bereavement, grief, disaffection, and displacement. It is also worth remembering that those dealing with such difficulties are just like us, you and me if we had been dealt a different hand to play. As the old adage says, “There but for the grace of god, go I.”
And so, on this, World Mental Health Day, it is timely and poignant that Ooberfuse releases “Show Me Love.” Originally from Cameroon, Abdel Tchatchet fled his homeland to seek refuge in the UK. “I met Ooberfuse in a music workshop in St Albans last year. They taught us how to write lyrics and melodies. At the end of the session, we had the opportunity to sing what we composed, and this is how our collaboration was born.”
The result is a pop song that moves between the deft and delicate and the anthemic and euphoric, a shimmering slice of sonic joy that offers hope for those brought to their knees by events beyond their control. It is a reminder to those suffering that they are not alone and that there are people in the world who are ready to offer a hand, help pick you up, and put you back on your path. In the case of Abdel, that path has now led to a new home and training as a Mental Health Therapist.
This is poised pop—purposeful pop, powerful pop, pop that seeks to heal, pop that is a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, a reason to get up in the morning, pop that brings people, styles, experiences, cultures and worlds together. It is the pop of voices lifted in unison (quite literally in places) to a common cause.
The next time you have to suffer another closed mind soul repeating the same old “stop-the-boats” nimbyisms, play them this song, tell them this story, and remind them that, if this tale is anything to go on, we need more boats, not fewer!
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