Special to the Sun
On Saturday, May 24, NeighborHealth hosted, “Mental Health Rocks,” a new initiative celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month through art, expression, and the healing power of community. Hosted at Zumix Music School in East Boston, the event brought together nearly 80 attendees, including NeighborHealth staff, patients, families, and friends. In addition to the performances and creative activities, informational tables offered resources on mental health, harm reduction, and substance use—extending the event’s impact beyond the stage.
NeighborHealth, the largest community-based health system in Massachusetts, prioritizes the care of both mental and physical health, demonstrated through recent investments to increase capacity for mental health and addiction recovery services.
“We are living in times of change, movement, and transformation—and with them, our understanding of mental health continues to evolve,” said Jorge Acosta, NeighborHealth Behavioral Health Clinician and Mental Health Rocks organizer. “Gone are the days of rigid, clinical spaces. Today’s therapeutic environments must become places of peace, connection, and empathy in an increasingly conflicted and dehumanized world.”
As part of its holistic approach to care, NeighborHealth curated an afternoon of music, art and community engagement to highlight the significant impact that art and music can have on mental health support. The event featured live performances from guests, including the band “Don’t Be Denied,” the Eastie Coalition, the “South End,” and an Elvis Presley impressionist. The open-mic portion of the event welcomed participants from all age groups, encouraging them to share their voices through poetry, storytelling, singing, dance, and various other forms of creative expression.
In addition to the performances, attendees had access to vital harm reduction resources provided by NeighborHealth’s Behavioral Health staff, advocating for healing and hope.
NeighborHealth looks forward to organizing future initiatives that fuse artistic expression with mental health advocacy. For more information about NeighborHealth and future events, visit: www.neighborhealth.com/events.