Concert to benefit Mental Health America of Monroe County

Bloomington’s own R&B, blues, jazz and swing band, Craig Brenner & the Crawdads, will play a benefit concert for Mental Health America of Monroe County Saturday.

The concert, titled “Dance to Live, Live to Love” was scheduled in conjunction with the Fourth Annual Art of Mental Health exhibit.

The week-long event includes an art exhibit at the Monroe County Public Library and a public screening about depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.

“The event is designed to highlight connections between mental health and creativity, and also provide education for the public about mental health services in the community,” said Jane McLeod, professor and director of undergraduate studies for the department of sociology.

The event doubles as a release party for Craig Brenner & the Crawdads’ new album, “Live to Love.”

“When we received the recording back after we finished it, we were trying to figure out how to not just sell it but also a way to help out an organization,” Brenner said.

McLeod, a former member of the band, came to Brenner with the idea for the event.

“We were really happy because when we recorded the album we didn’t intend to help this organization,” Brenner said. “But everything just fell in place.”

Brenner said he hopes the concert will be the perfect ending to a week of helping people who suffer with mental health issues.

“When you’re dancing, you’re carefree and you’re happy,” Brenner said. “It helps relieve stress.”

Despite everything incorporated into the event, those involved said they hope the center of attention will remain on mental health.

“It’s an event that has live music and entertainment, but the focus is to draw attention to issues of the mind,” said Matt Lucas, program director for Oak Tree Counseling, a group affiliated with Mental Health America.

Lucas said he hopes the week’s events will help sway public opinion about mental health issues.

Because of the prevalence of outdated terms that are still used in the mental health field, Lucas said issues don’t resonate with the average person.

“Mental illness is a dated term and has a lot of stigma attached to it,” Lucas said.
Lucas said he feels that talking about mental health issues should become more commonplace in society.

“We’re having rough times, and to imagine that it doesn’t effect our mind and behavior is a little silly,” Lucas said. “It’s time to reframe the way people look at mental health.”