Free Program on Art and Wellness in Bipolar Disorder on June 6, 2023!

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Southfield, Mich. event will present “Living Well with Bipolar Disorder: Creative Expressions,” an art enrichment program for metro Detroiters living with mental illnesses.

 The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program at Michigan Medicine and Gesher Human Services are joining together for a free evening presentation and panel discussion about arts enrichment and its impact on wellness when living with bipolar disorder.

The condition is a chronic disease presenting with unstable and unpredictable moods

and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Bipolar disorder affects around 5.7 million adult Americans or approximately 2.6 percent of people aged over 18, with median onset of the disorder at 25 years. Gesher Human Services provides residential housing and enrichment activities for people living with serious long-term mental illness in metro Detroit; one of the enrichment programs is an arts and music program called Creative Expressions.

The free event will be held at Congregation Shaarey Zedek (27375 Bell Rd, Southfield) on Tuesday, June 6 with doors opening at 6.30 p.m. and programming starting at 7 p.m. To register for the event, click here. 

The program will provide information on how those living with bipolar disorder

and their families can live well and thrive. The event will be moderated by Gesher Human Services President and CEO Paul Blatt and will feature presentations by Gesher Creative Expressions Program Coordinator Craig Nowak, Director of the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program Dr. Melvin McInnis M.D., and Vice President of Gesher Residential/Supportive Housing Clifton Philips. In addition, a panel of people living with the disorder will also be available to answer questions. The event is sponsored by Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

“Every day we see the immensely positive difference art brings to the lives of people living with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses,” said Gesher CEO Paul Blatt. “It reduces stress levels, provides an outlet which fosters creativity and confidence, and allows people to express themselves in a way that words sometimes cannot do.”

Creative Expressions provides a host of art opportunities

to its participants, including fine arts, sculpture, photography, music, singing and dance, often in collaboration with professional organizations and talented artists from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Opera, Matrix Theatre and College for Creative Studies. 

Director of the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program Melvin McInnis M.D. added that people living with bipolar disorder can, and do, live well with appropriate treatment and support. “The reach of the Prechter Program is expanding, and we stand united behind the vision of empowering people with bipolar disorder to achieve fulfillment personally, socially, and vocationally.”

To learn more about the Creative Expressions Program go to shopcreativeexpressions.com or email 

cnowak@geshermi.org. For more information on Gesher Human Services go to geshermi.org. To reach the bipolar disorder research program at Michigan Medicine go to medicine.umich.edu/dept/prechter-program.

About Gesher Human Services

Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community.

The organization works with job seekers, people with disabilities, older adults, and the community at large to provide skills, support, and equitable opportunities for people to succeed. Uniting two of metro Detroit’s most influential Jewish human services agencies, JVS Human Services and Kadima, Gesher brings over 110 years of combined experience facilitating equitable employment opportunities and better mental health outcomes for residents. With a network of more than 400 employees and volunteers across 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of over 9,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.