CPA’s Social Justice Speaker Series Presents:
Mental Health, Music, and Community
“Orchestrating Change” Documentary Viewing & Discussion
The inspiring story of the only orchestra in the world created by and for people living with mental illness and those who support them
Documentary Viewing: Orchestrating Change: The inspiring story of the only orchestra in the world created by and for people living with mental illness and those who support them.
Watch the 30 second promo here!
Discussants: Conductors Caroline Whiddon and Ronald Braunstein
Date & Time: Thursday, May 16th, 2024 6:00-8:00 PM
The Documentary is 85 minutes and our discussants will join at 7pm for a 30 minute Zoom Panel discussion. Attendees will continue the discussion until 8pm
Location: This program is sponsored by CPA and will be held in the Community Room of the Wallingford Public Library, 200 North Main Street, Wallingford.
Wallingford Public Library, Community Room
200 N Main St, Wallingford, CT 06492
Community room is the first room to the right when entering from the back parking lot of the building.
Cost: FREE to attend. Delicious refreshments will available for those who attend in person.
Documentary Synopsis:
ORCHESTRATING CHANGE tells the inspiring story of Me2/Orchestra. Ronald Braunstein was on the trajectory to becoming one of the world’s leading conductors until he made his diagnosis of bipolar disorder public and was shunned by the classical music community. He decided to create an orchestra for people like him with the mission of erasing mental health stigma one concert at a time. The film follows Braunstein and several of the musicians for two years — capturing their setbacks and their accomplishments. The musicians’ stories are told entirely in their own words, augmented with striking animation. The film culminates in a joyous concert at a major venue. It is a triumph for Braunstein, who thought he might never conduct again, the musicians, and the audience, whose perspective on mental illness is forever changed.
• According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S experience mental illness in a given year.
• We all have a family member, friend or colleague living with a mental illness.
• Studies show 50% of people suffering with mental illness who could be helped by medication and therapy do not seek treatment for fear of stigmatization.
• The COVID pandemic has made mental health an even more critical social issue. • With compelling characters, beautiful music, even humor, Orchestrating Change addresses many of the myths about living with mental illness.
• It challenges audiences to reconsider their preconceived notions and dispels the highly sensationalized images too often presented by the media.
• ORCHESTRATING CHANGE empowers those living with a mental health diagnosis.
Speakers:
RONALD BRAUNSTEIN, Music Director and co-founder, Me2/Orchestra
A graduate of The Juilliard School, he won the Gold Medal in the Herbert von Karajan International Conducting Competition. He has conducted the San Francisco Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony, among many others. Mr. Braunstein was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and created Me2/Orchestra to support others who struggle to maintain good mental health.
CAROLINE WHIDDON, Executive Director and co-founder, Me2/Orchestra
Caroline has more than two decades of experience in orchestra leadership. She is a past Chair of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras. Caroline received her Bachelor’s degree in French horn performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder nearly 30 years ago.
Braunstein and Whiddon launched Me2/in the fall of 2011. They married in 2013.
MARGIE FRIEDMAN & BARBARA MULTER-WELLIN (film makers but not discussant/speakers), Orchestrating Change, Executive Producer/Directors
Margie Friedman and Barbara Multer-Wellin are both EMMY award winning producers with years of non-fiction television experience. They have produced shows for CBS, NBC, ABC, HBO, Showtime, Lifetime, HGTV, Disney Channel and others. Their previous films have aired on PBS including the prestigious series, “Independent Lens.”
Contact: Please contact CPA by email (info@connpsych.org) or phone (860-404-0333) with any questions regarding the event.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe what living with a mental illness looks like.
Participants will be able to identify three myths about mental illness.
Participants will be able to define mental health stigma.
Research Citations:
Walton, B. (2018). Anything but crazy: How American musical theatre can change societal stigmas against mental illnesses.
McTernan, N., Ryan, F., Williamson, E., Chambers, D., & Arensman, E. (2023). Using a television programme as a tool to increase perceived awareness of mental health and well-being–findings from ‘Our Mental Health’survey. Irish journal of psychological medicine, 40(1), 19-29.
Tam, M. T., Wu, J. M., Zhang, C. C., Pawliuk, C., & Robillard, J. M. (2024). A systematic review of the impacts of media mental health awareness campaigns on young people. Health promotion practice, 15248399241232646.
Peltz, P. (2023). Can Documentary Films Move the Levers of Discourse Around a Public Health Issue–A Systematic Review. Columbia University.
Goodwin, J., Saab, M. M., Dillon, C. B., Kilty, C., McCarthy, A., O’Brien, M., & Philpott, L. F. (2021). The use of film-based interventions in adolescent mental health education: A systematic review. Journal of psychiatric research, 137, 158-172.
Gallant, K., Hamilton-Hinch, B., White, C., Litwiller, F., & Lauckner, H. (2019). “Removing the thorns”: the role of the arts in recovery for people with mental health challenges. Arts & Health, 11(1), 1-14.
Post Event Evaluation Form:
Hybrid:
Attendees may also join via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucO2ppzMjG9c2kQvEWZplldnWPdeqKKPN
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Connecticut Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 1 CE credit is available per hour for attendees who are present for the entire program. We ask that all participants return the post-program evaluation form at the conclusion of the program.
CPA and our speakers have not received any commercial support for this program or its contents and will not receive any commercial support prior to or during this program.
