Dr. John J. Ratey, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Doha: Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has held the first lectures focusing on the relationship between sport and mental health through the Aspire Speakers Series.
It is providing a platform for ideas and discussions that attract sports experts from around the world. The opening event in the series – held in cooperation with Qatar Foundation – welcomed Dr. John J. Ratey, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of Spark – which examines the links between sport and physical exercise and our brains. The discussion was moderated by beIN Sports presenter Andy Kerr and attracting more than 52,000 views.
In his talk, Dr. Ratey referred to a story that occurred with a patient who was injured during his participation in a marathon, saying: “Treatment for a disorder not only with drugs but also with exercise, is a great way to help patients treat all diseases and allow them to better focus toward a better life.”
Against the backdrop of COVID-19, the pandemic’s impact on people’s mental health around the world has been placed in the spotlight. The Aspire Speakers Series has been launched to bring together thought leaders and promote social awareness of the connection between sport and mental wellbeing.
Details of the second episode in the Aspire Speakers Series will be announced shortly. The public is invited to participate in the conversation by asking questions directly to the speakers in this series via AZF’s social media platforms.
