depression

Next to Normal: A True Family Affair, and Then Some!

June 5, 2018 by Inside Press

By Kathryn Kitt

There have been a number of productions of “Next to Normal” since its Tony Award/Pulitzer prize winning moment in 2009 that have been wondrous. The Armonk Players version is no exception, except, for me, the experience has come full circle. I am Tom Kitt’s Sister, who is the composer and creator of “Next to Normal’ and have experienced the workshop process at the BMI Music Festival back in 1996 with the original title “Feeling Electric – Up the Dose.” It was the brainstorm of Tom and his college friend/lyricist Brian Yorkey who had the assignment to present a 10 minute musical idea to their BMI musical theatre class.

The cast of Next to Normal in rehearsal. Photo by is Lauren Oliviero

Thomas, as I called him, and I were both living in New York City at the time and it was quite a special time for us while we were trying to work in the music business. I trained as an Opera singer, so I went to auditions and sang in performances around the city. Tom, in addition to being at BMI, played at a piano bar on the East Side where my extended family would gather on weekends – complete with me singing Puccini and Andrea Boccelli. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jenn Colella (“Come from Away”) would show up and soon it would become open mic in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan.

While Tom worked on the musical, he recruited me to sing some of the songs from “Next to Normal” in his class. I was skeptical – who writes this type of musical, about mental health and depression? I know “Rent” was a big hit, but it dealt with younger people who could wear tight clothes and do high kicks in platform shoes. “Next to Normal” dealt with family and the dynamics that go along with it. Needless to say, I eventually was proven wrong, for the show was picked up by David Stone – producer of “Wicked” after he saw a workshop of it in the New York Music Festival.

The show culminated in Tom and Brian winning the Tony for Best score, beating out Elton John and Dolly Parton, Tom winning for best Orchestrations and then the Pulitzer. This has resulted in quite a whirlwind for our family. Tom has gone on to have quite a robust musical career in composing and orchestrating and is up for a Tony for orchestrations for the “Spongebob Musical on Broadway.”

When Christine DiTota and Pia Haas mentioned how they wanted to bring “Next to Normal” to the Tom’s hometown, I was completely on board! I know that a show like this would bring the community together, be it teachers at Byram Hills (Adam Welsh, John Anthony Lopez), local performers (Christine Gavin, Anthony Malchar, Jess Bulzzaccheli, Jesse Herman), plus Phyllis Padow –Sederbaum and Vivien Bonnist Cord on props! Everyone was so excited to bring this experience to Whipporwill and I could not be more proud! Christine DiTota has kept the heart and staging of the story intact while Adam Welsh’s lighting captures the excitement of the Booth Theatre in NYC.

Of course, I had to get someone in the family involved and thanks to the brilliant musical director Ricky Romano, he took a chance and recruited my son Andrew Aldous (Byram Hills Junior) to play guitar in the band. This has truly been the most exciting experience of all, and I am convinced that Andrew is channeling my brother up there.

“Next to Normal” is surely a family affair, but this production goes beyond our little town. It is a story about everyone’s family and how we all try to navigate challenges whether it be mental illness, teenage angst and loss. I encourage anyone who feels deeply to see this show and prepare to be brought to a transformative place. I thank the Armonk Players for their commitment and thoughtful production and I know we will never forget this moment!

Next to Normal, sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, is playing at Whippoorwill Hall, 19 Whipporwill Road E., Armonk, NY 10504 Remaining Performance dates below.

Judy Collins Helps Break the Taboo at MHA of Westchester Fundraiser

December 1, 2016 by Inside Press

“Break the taboo, tell the story,” Judy Collins told attendees of “An Evening of Conversation and Song,” the October 13th fundraiser for the Mental Health Association of Westchester at the Emelin Theater.

Collins, or “Judy Blue Eyes,” –- the legendary singer/songwriter of now classic American songs including “Both Sides, Now” and “Send in the Clowns,” –- proceeded to do just that, as she shared stories of her struggles with alcohol … “I was safe in New York with my therapist and half gallons of vodka.”

With depression…”While the outer self is looking so terrific, the inner self is saying: help, help.”

And finally, the different circumstances surrounding the suicide of her son and her own suicide attempt recovery. “The music saved me,” she shared. “It always has…Art makes it possible to survive on this planet.”

And so has the understanding that failure is ‘ok,’ she said.

“Scientists will tell you they learn the most from their failures,” Collins said. “There is no guilt in suicide…it is all about the process of getting from one point to the other.”

There are people who know that ‘truth,’ she added. And advised: “Be part of that clan” who offer “a bridge to life.” She commended the staff and volunteers of the MHA “for the miraculous work you do.” Following Judys’ talk, attendees enjoyed a reception and book signing.

For more information, please visit mhawestchester.org.

Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press, was recipient of a 2015 Media Award from the MHA of Westchester and a media sponsor for this event.

Judy Collins with Armonk resident Shari Applebaum

Remembering Miles and Raising Awareness

April 21, 2016 by The Inside Press

Miles’ grandfather, Stan, and his parents, Ed and Shari Applebaum

A December 23rd snowstorm led to the cancellation of a “Music & Miles Changing Minds Event.” The natural disappointment may have made it hard to anticipate the packed turnout at the Capitol Theater on the rescheduled date of April 8! The event was held in memory of Miles Applebaum and to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention among young adults.

Musicians from the Lagond Music School performing at the Capitol Theater

After receiving a program and tickets to see Lettuce, hundreds enthusiastically packed a pre-concert reception to enjoy music by the Lagond Music School, a free open bar, delicious food, delectable desserts, raffle prizes and more!

jed — Philip Satow speaking for the Jed Foundation, and Emcee, Westchester Radio personality Bob Marrone

Shari Applebaum, Miles’ mom, told everyone: “This is a very special moment to celebrate Miles and all the lives that he touched with his strong presence and passion for what he loved most: family, friends, music, nature, creative writing, poetry and the outdoors.”

(L-R): Friends of Miles: Emily Waldman, Kaila Allison, and Nickki Allison

Phillip Satow, co-founder with his wife Donna of The Jed Foundation, also spoke. He noted that among 20 million college students, suicide is the leading cause of death, and emphasized that “development of a mental health safety net should be a priority for all higher education institutions.” The Jed Foundation offers resources to college students at their site, an anonymous screening program, and a program to help juniors and seniors make a healthy transition to college.

For more info, please visit: musicandmiles.org and jedfoundation.org.

Let’s Talk About It: Raising Resilient Kids

December 2, 2015 by The Inside Press

L-R: MHA’s Head of Personal Development, Education and Training Dr. Barbara Bernstein; MHA Board Member Sean Mayer; Educator Shari Applebaum; Byram Hills High School Principal Chris Borsari; and Reverend Frances Wise Grenley of Scarsdale Congregational Church

By Deborah Raider Notis

We live in a community in which everyone is hyper-focused on raising successful children. But do we spend nearly enough time teaching these successful children how to recover from disappointment, failure, and stress? How do we raise resilient children?

This was the focus of the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Westchester’s community conversation held in November at the Rosenthal JCC.

Moderator Sean Mayer, an MHA board member who lost his brother to suicide, asked a panel of experts, “In today’s high stakes, technology driven world, how do we help our youth develop strength and buoyancy?” The event, sponsored by The Inside Press, concerned reducing and identifying factors that cause anxiety, stress, depression, and the potential for suicide in children and young adults.

According to the MHA’s Dr. Barbara Bernstein, counselors are seeing more children with more mental health issues nowadays. Over one-third of college students polled said that they cannot function because they feel sad and hopeless, one half of these students suffer from anxiety, nine percent considered suicide, and 17% of high school students polled thought about suicide. She urged, “Early identification of these issues is critically important. We have to figure out why kids are not developing coping skills.”

“Teacup Children” Phenomenon

Panelist Shari Applebaum noted that resilience begins in childhood. “To build resilience with our kids we have to take a step back. Kids must find self soothing skills and must learn to handle disappointment on their own while still knowing that there is a support system.” She and Mayer believe that today’s parents are creating “teacup children,” children who are exceptionally fragile and break easily when faced with challenges. Applebaum feels that our community as a whole must reduce the emphasis on academic and athletic achievement as these pressures are overwhelming to many children–and don’t guarantee fulfillment.

Byram Hill’s Chris Borsari agreed that academic and athletic achievement are priorities in our community. When he started at Byram Hills High School, he wanted to understand why so many students were struggling. “We started out discussing stress,” as he was initially afraid to broach the subjects of mental health and suicide with his faculty and community. He developed Learn to Inspire workshops for his faculty and held coffees for parents to pinpoint what causes stress and anxiety for students. “Over time, people started to discuss suicide. There was a slow acceptance and realization that suicide is a health issue, just like broken bones and concussions but with potentially greater consequences.”

Reverend Francis Wise Grenley suggested that we prioritize kindness and compassion. She thinks local teens need to look beyond themselves and place themselves in a different context to give them some perspective on their problems. “In the modern era, we are the centers of our own attention, everything we do is so important to us.” To help give teens perspective, the Scarsdale Congregational Church takes teens on a Midnight Run to bring clothing and homeless into New York City and also takes them to a community in South Dakota living in trailers–with no windows, no indoor plumbing, and no heat. Grenley points out, “This give our teens a chance to see an entirely different reality.”

The hope is that experiencing this alternate reality will give them a stronger sense of priorities. Borsari notes that we live in “pinnacle communities” where people have found a unique level of success and prosperity. “The American Dream has always meant that you are going to do better than your parents,” notes Borsari. “If that only means money, then kids from these pinnacle communities are going to have a particularly tough time. We need to redefine success to make it more attainable for this generation.”

Technology: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Stress and anxiety are pervasive among children, teens, and young adults–some of whom are plugged in seemingly 24/7. So Mayer asked the panel whether they feel that technology is making growing up harder for our children. The whole panel agreed that it is extremely challenging to deal with texts, Instagrams, Snapchats, and all of the other apps that compel people to constantly compare themselves to everyone else.

Mayer also points out that many of these children have “duck syndrome,” they look perfect on the surface but are paddling furiously beneath the surface to keep up. He says, “It is hard to see all of these posts and think that everyone is having so much more fun than you are.”

Grenley acknowledges, “None of us are strangers to our smartphones. But kids are getting lost in their phones and missing out on face-to-face conversations. How many times have you seen kids sitting next to each other in the car texting each other?” Grenley and Mayer agreed that people are missing out on the beauty of the world around us and losing the ability to be present in the moment.

Teens and young adults need emotional downtime, away from social media outlets. Borsari believes,“ One of the hallmarks of adolescence is to be connected to the group. But you used to be able to go home and escape. Now there is no escape.” He is particularly concerned about kids’ inability to shut down and escape technology.

Grenley implores parents to stick to their standards because kids do better with boundaries. “Hearing the word ‘no’ is not a bad thing.” These rules and boundaries against which kids fight can ultimately give them a sense of belonging and a foundation for success. Most importantly, people need to know about the many available resources throughout our community that can help those struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, and thoughts of suicide. Michael Orth of the Westchester Department of Mental Health said that the county offers peer-to-peer support groups for college-aged young adults, for example. The Scarsdale Congregational Church has a support council and works with neighborhood associations to foster a sense of community.

Byram Hills High School has an open door policy, Transformation Workshops, and is working to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. And, of course there is the Mental Health Association of Westchester. Just ask Mayer. Six months after his brother committed suicide he turned to the Mental Health Association for support, and today he works with them to create a network of support systems and conversations for others.

Deborah Notis is a writer and co-owner of gamechanger, LLC, a free referral service connecting Westchester families to highly qualified, competitively priced academic, athletic, music, and
art instructors.

RESOURCES

Westchester County Crisis Prevention and Response Team
914-925-5959

Mental Health Association of Westchester
Mount Kisco, 914 666-4646
White Plains, 914 345-0700
Walk-in Services; phone to confirm hours

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Bereavement Center of Westchester
914-787-6158

Westchester Jewish Community Services
To Inquire about a Support Group:
914-761-0600

Women Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness: A Meaningful Conversation

June 19, 2015 by Janine Crowley Haynes

By Janine Crowley Haynes

Ellen Levine, Suzanne Golden, Carole Mallement and Lee Woodruff — Editorial Director Ellen Levine of Hearst Magazines with the NY Women’s Committee Co-Chairs Suzanne Golden & Carole Mallement and Author, Advocate, Philanthropist Lee Woodruff *(photo by Chad David Kraus)*

Borensteins:Laitmans — President & CEO Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein and his wife Lisa Borenstein with NY Women’s Committee Member Dr. Ann Laitman and her husband Dr. Rob Laitman of Bedford, NY

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 15, 2015)—The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (the Foundation) held its second annual New York Women’s Luncheon, Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness, at the Metropolitan Club. “The Women’s Luncheon is designed to pay tribute to those women who are willing to speak candidly and personally about mental illness and how they inspire others to speak out against the stigma from brain and behavior disorders,” states the Foundation’s President and CEO Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D. “Now it’s our turn to be proactive in breaking the silence,” says the Foundation’s New York Women’s Committee Co-Chair Carole Mallement. Addressing the topic of stigma and how to face mental illness without fear of judgment departs from the Foundation’s standard programs that focus on science and research. 100 percent of dollars raised for research are invested in grants leading to advances and breakthroughs in brain and behavior research to help better understand the causes and develop new ways to effectively treat brain and behavior disorders. Since its inception in 1987, the Foundation has raised $328 million to fund over 4,800 grants to more than 3,800 leading scientists at 518 universities and medical centers around the world.

Levine:WoodruffConversation — Ellen Levine in conversation with Lee Woodruff at the Foundation’s New York Women’s Luncheon (*photo by Chad David Kraus)*

Approximately 300 supporters were in attendance to listen to a conversational exchange between Editorial Director Ellen Levine of Hearst Magazines and Advocate, Author, Philanthropist Lee Woodruff. Levine received the first annual Media Award by the American College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology for highlighting mental illness in numerous articles published in Good Housekeeping. Woodruff discussed a family history of mental illness. She recalled, when she was younger, there were no real in-depth conversations or explanations as to why her mother was “in bed in a dark room under the covers.” Her father would simply say her mom was sad and needed to feel better.

Woodruff:AnnLaitmanFinal — Westchester resident Lee Woodruff with NY Women’s Committee Member Dr. Ann Laitman of Bedford, NY

Woodruff shared her personal struggle with situational depression that ensued after husband Bob Woodruff sustained a critical brain injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2006 while reporting for ABC’s World News Tonight. Woodruff acknowledged the traumatic event took its toll on her own mental health. Woodruff described her situational depression as a secret sadness and that it came as an enormous relief to share her story. “There needs to be a national message of openness without shame or stigma attached,” states Woodruff. When Levine asked Woodruff what helped her to push through the secret sadness, Woodruff referred to the four Fs—family, friends, faith, and funny—mentioned in her book, In an Instant, wherein Lee and Bob Woodruff chronicle their inspirational family journey back to recovery.

Today, the Woodruffs are fully focused on giving back in a big way. Bob and Lee Woodruff founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation that has raised more than $20 million to help veterans successfully reintegrate into their communities and help veterans receive critical longterm care. The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s website mentions that, sometimes, injuries sustained can lead to a series of other issues — unemployment, depression, substance abuse, even suicide. “Our veterans deserve our full support,” states Woodruff.

Click here to learn more about the Woodruffs and the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Click here to learn more about the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Janine Crowley Haynes, Chappaqua resident and author My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World

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