The UMass MIND program at UMass Medical School is hosting an interactive Zoom community panel discussion about the documentary Orchestrating Change on Monday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m.
Orchestrating Change by Emmy award-winning producers Margie Friedman and Barbara Multer-Wellin tells the story of the Me2/Orchestra, the only orchestra in the world for people with mental illnesses including addiction. Musical and expressive therapies may hold great promise for those with mental illness, especially for those who do not respond to traditional treatment methods.
With its mission to erase stigma one concert at a time, the Me2/Orchestra was co-founded and is conducted by Ronald Braunstein, once a world-renowned conductor whose career was shattered when his own diagnosis of bipolar disorder was made public.
He is among the invited panelists who will discuss music and mental health and share stories of hope and empowerment. Also participating will be the film’s producers; orchestra members who will perform during the event; Massachusetts Department of Mental Health representatives; community leaders; and mental health professionals including Jeffrey Geller, MD, professor of psychiatry at UMMS and president of the American Psychiatric Association.
UMass MIND is the community outreach program of the Department of Psychiatry’s Psychotic Disorders Research Program for individuals with mental health challenges and their allies.
“Although we are a clinical and research program, a large part of what we do are community-oriented free events and services to help uplift our local community as part of our Community Intervention Program,” said Zachary Wipff, clinical research assistant for the Psychotic Disorders Research Program. “We are hosting this virtual event in the Worcester area to help build a community that is understanding and supportive for those experiencing mental health struggles in Central Massachusetts.”
Orchestrating Change can be viewed in Massachusetts on WGBH public television Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. UMass MIND will also distribute a private online version of the film to those who RSVP for the event, which is free and open to the public.
