February 2025 in Science at our faculty
We bring you a selection of the most interesting things in science and research at our faculty in the shortest month of 2025.
Sweet Support: Medical Students Backed Child Psychiatry During International Brain Day
Medical students at Masaryk University's Faculty of Medicine organized a charity collection to support child psychiatric care at the University Hospital Brno. The event "Medical Students Help: International Brain Day" combined charitable activities with raising awareness about mental health.
The medical students decided to commemorate International Brain Day in a very practical way—they organized a sale of homemade treats, with proceeds going to charity. The fundraising event raised 7,666 Czech crowns, which will go to the Archa Chantal Foundation for renovations of the psychiatric clinic at the University Hospital Brno.
The Archa Chantal Foundation, established in 1993 at the initiative of French actress Chantal Poullain, has long focused on improving hospital environments for pediatric patients. At the University Hospital Brno, the foundation has already helped with the reconstruction and decoration of the inpatient department of the pediatric psychiatric clinic, and last year, it contributed to the renovation of the garden areas. Currently, it is focusing on completing renovations of the outpatient department and finalizing plantings in the garden.
"I would evaluate the event very positively. I always like to see students and teachers come together to support those who need it most. I am grateful that we have the opportunity to collaborate so closely with various foundations and especially with our university. We thank them for providing the space and help with promotion; the event would not have been the same without it," said one of the organizers, Kateřina Janásková.
Students fully managed the event, handling both the baking and all-day sales at the stand. Visitors could choose from a diverse range of treats, from gluten-free brownies and oatmeal cookies to Japanese mochi and Italian focaccia.
The medical students not only contributed a specific financial amount to a good cause but also raised awareness about the importance of mental health care. The event reminded everyone that patients with mental illness deserve the same attention and care as patients with physical problems.
Although this was the first year of this particular event, MED MUNI students already have experience with similar charitable activities – in the past, they organized "Christmas Sweetening," the proceeds of which also went to charitable purposes.
