In a bid to alleviate anxiety, the Mental Health Foundation has enlisted the talents of renowned pianist-composer RIOPY, who has experienced firsthand the transformative power of music in overcoming a traumatic and abusive childhood. For Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May), RIOPY has created a new piano piece titled "Meditation 111," designed to provide solace and relaxation to individuals. The composition is intentionally simple, accessible to anyone regardless of their musical proficiency.

Established in 2001, Mental Health Awareness Week serves as an opportunity for the UK community to engage in open conversations about mental health, aiming to combat stigma and encourage individuals to prioritize their own well-being as well as that of others. This year's focus is on anxiety, a prevalent mental health issue in the UK.

RIOPY, a self-taught pianist, discovered solace in the piano during a troubled upbringing and has long relied on music to manage his anxiety, depression, and OCD. Growing up in an oppressive French cult, he found comfort and hope through secret improvisation sessions on an abandoned piano until he escaped at the age of 18. After overcoming periods of substance abuse, homelessness, and hardship, RIOPY earned a scholarship to study music at university. Notably, he was gifted a piano by Coldplay's Chris Martin. Today, RIOPY channels his tumultuous past into his music, serving as a source of solace for millions worldwide.

The Mental Health Foundation has tapped RIOPY to create a new composition that aids individuals in addressing anxiety within their own homes, whether by listening to the piece or learning to play it themselves. The campaign aims to encourage participants to engage in music-making and creative expression, both of which are widely recognized for their positive impact on mental health.

"Meditation 111" is a repetitive and simplistic composition designed to induce a meditative state in the performer. The piece can be played using only three fingers and can be learned within one hour, ensuring accessibility for all, including those without prior musical training. The number "111" serves as a reminder of the NHS 111 helpline, available to UK residents seeking urgent mental health support. The musical motif derives from "Essence of Light," an ode to serenity inspired by Debussy's timeless piece "Clair de Lune," which features on RIOPY's latest album, THRIVE.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, RIOPY and the Mental Health Foundation invite audiences to participate via social media, either from their own pianos at home or public pianos in various locations such as schools, churches, malls, and train stations. Participants are encouraged to learn the piece by the end of Mental Health Awareness Week, with the aid of tutorial videos, lessons, and tips from RIOPY himself. RIOPY also invites participants to reinterpret and improvise over the composition, sharing their creations on social media using the hashtags #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and #ToHelpMyAnxiety, while tagging @riopymusic and @mentalhealthfoundation.

The music video for "Meditation 111," along with downloadable sheet music and video tutorials for those learning by ear, has been released online at https://www.riopymusic.com/pages/111. Additional tips will be shared on RIOPY's and the Foundation's social media channels throughout Mental Health Awareness Week.

Reflecting on the collaboration, RIOPY expressed his gratitude, stating, "It is an honor to partner with the Mental Health Foundation for Mental Health Awareness Week this year. As someone who has struggled with poor mental health for most of my life, music has been a great source of solace and calm. It is not an exaggeration to say that the piano, Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, expressed gratitude for RIOPY's support during Mental Health Awareness Week, highlighting the significance of RIOPY's personal experiences with anxiety and his ability to express those emotions through the composition of "Meditation 111." Rowland emphasized the well-established therapeutic benefits of the arts, including music, which allow individuals to creatively explore their feelings and emotions, ultimately promoting improved mental health. The arts serve as a powerful tool for protecting against mental health conditions, managing illnesses, and supporting recovery.

To learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week and how to participate, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw.

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.