I have been a practicing clinical social worker for over 30 years and have worked with patients in the psychiatric and substance use disorder units of hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice.  I have also worked with the military on various installations in the U.S. and overseas.  It has been very fulfilling as patients have courageously shared  their thoughts. experiences and feelings with me in group and individual settings, working hard to change, with the hope of improving their mental and emotional health.  Of course, their work often results in better physical health as well. 

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The unfortunate part over the years is the overwhelming reports of shame and fear experienced by many patients due to the stigma against people with mental illness.  This stigma too often causes people to hide their symptoms and avoid seeking help, which means the illness progresses.  Even though there have been many attempts to educate the public about the illnesses, the stigma still exists.  Music has been a constant in my life, giving me a voice that, as a child, I thought I did not have.  So, my goal is to use this method that speaks to the heart to fight the stigma against people with mental illness.

 

I am also a musician and composer.  Referring to my compositions The Music of Mental Illness and Addiction, my goal was to portray the emotions experienced during various symptoms of these disorders – the dissonance of pain and anger, the frustration and anguish of anxiety and depression, the relief of finding help, the hope of emotional regulation and stability, and the joy of improved lifestyle. To eliminate stigma, the entire population must eliminate fear and ridicule and replace with understanding, empathy, and acceptance.  This would then open more willingness by those with mental illnesses to seek help.

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Although my newest compositions are related to fighting the stigma, I also compose a variety of music that I connect to healing in general.  We know that music can change one’s mood, so in these times of high anxiety and depression I also have compositions that are for evoking feelings that some find difficult to express (e.g. pain, anger, fear, anxiety, even love) similar to watching a movie that causes one to feel strong emotions.   

Lastly, I also believe in the healing power of humor.  Working in a hospital emergency room in the past, I organized the hospital variety show for several years during which the Emergency Department staff presented my humorous musical skit, “Sing Your Emergency Complaint.”  It was performed three nights and I must say that the Dopamine level was quite high each night.  My composition, My Child, highlights some humor since in the first movement, “Infancy,” I snuck in a tuba solo playing the popular preschool song, Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.

 

As was done with the Michigan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra when they played My Child, I am always willing to do a pre-concert talk about the piece to be played.