The National Sunshine Mental Health Cup

On May 31, 2025, the Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC) hosted the 2nd annual National Sunshine Mental Health Cup Singing Contest at Lincoln Square Park. The beautiful day of song and celebration was co-hosted by Friends of Lincoln Square Park, Tang and Gau Global Foundation, NAMI Alameda County and the Oakland Chinatown Coalition. This purpose of this special event was to use music to uplift mental health awareness and community connection

We’re thrilled that Lincoln Park hosted the 2nd National Sunshine Singing Contest to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in our community.  We know that human beings are naturally social, and that our mental health is not just a matter of whether an individual is mentally and emotionally resilient.  An individual's mental health is also negatively and positively impacted by people around that person: their family, their friends, their community, and even strangers they meet on the street.  

Friends of Lincoln Square Park sees our mission as building a public space that supports activities and connections that friends and family do together, but also brings individual into contact with acquaintances and strangers regularly. Positive experiences like this over time, build more social trust and mental and emotional resilience, and decrease social isolation. 

We hope everyone enjoyed the music, enjoyed the singing, and enjoyed being around their friends old and new!