There are good days and then there are days when I think to myself, “Why bother?”
I consider myself a creative person and that has done well for me. I’m a healthcare consultant, a screenwriter, a professional photographer, a former college professor, a podcaster (MindSet with Tom McNulty), a former Reserve Deputy Sheriff (eight years), a health talk radio host (18 years), a therapist, a substitute teacher, a woodwork refinisher, a filmmaker, a TV Special producer/director, and I own a modeling and talent agency. Additionally, I’ve served on dozens of not-for-profit boards, started two not-for-profits, and been the CEO of several companies. Through the National Alliance on Mental Illness and my Christmas Angels program, I’ve financially supported children and teens who spend Christmas in psychiatric services with gifts for the last 24 years with generous contributions from my vast network of contacts. I have supported Music is Art, Albright-Knox Gallery (AKG), Burchfield Penney Art Center, Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, and Spotlight on Hope, Inc. for years. I believe in the power of music and art.
The core of my background is behavioral health. I received a double major Bachelor of Science in psychology and sociology and my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Human Systems from Florida State University. I have 45+ years in my field in a multitude of capacities and I’m a perpetual learner and risk-taker. I took an interim position as Executive Director of Peaceprints Prison Ministries – a reentry program for former male inmates and while it was a tough job, I learned so much about life from these men and the dedicated staff. Experiences full of emotional reality have always made an impact on my own character development.
Raised by caring, compassionate, and value-driven parents, I’ve always given my all to anything I took on, especially in behavioral health. My mother reminded my brothers and me that there are others struggling who need a helping hand and a true advocate. My father frequently said, “Whatever you do, give your very best. If you fail, get up and do it better realizing your mistakes.” I embrace challenges others run from. When I was a full-time therapist working with adolescents involved with drugs complicated further by dysfunctional family life and, all too often, horrific trauma; I was called ‘Saint Jude’ by the intake staff. (Saint Jude is considered the patron saint of hopeless cases).
No child or adolescent was ever ‘hopeless’ to me. Yet, as many people know, those with mental illness or addiction have been chronically misdiagnosed, ignored, bounced around broken systems, matched with the wrong type of therapist, denied treatment by managed care, arrested by law enforcement, and dismissed by frustrated family members. Many commit suicide or die from overdoses.
“Write what you know.” Alan Zweibel, an original writer for Saturday Night Live, told me at a Summer Writing Workshop. “Take risks and keep learning from them” he’d say – the comedy writer who created Point/Counterpoint, Sumari Delicatessen, Roseanna-Danna, No Pepsi, Only Coke, and many more classic sketches made a strong impact on me. He did these Summer Writing Workshops two or three years in a row as a graduate of the University of Buffalo and I always attended his classes. We were two guys from Brooklyn, New York whose paths connected in Buffalo. I took his advice seriously.
I began co-writing Episodes with my friend, Peter Hertsgaard, M.F.A. Episodes (now known as The Episodes Project) is a three-component campaign designed to shake up, change, and strengthen a very broken behavioral health system. The Episodes Project includes a full-length feature film (fully written), a training/coaching component for frontline responders (law enforcement, campus security, religious leaders, EMTs, urgent/emergency/primary care providers, teachers, firefighters, caregivers, parents, and family members) using interactive theater as an impactful tool (Spotlight on the Community). The final piece is called, “the EPISODES” (with the tagline: “Creating Enduring Impact”) which includes 50 written storyline treatments crafted to become a streaming TV show – once again using interactive segments to foster audience involvement. Peter Hertsgaard, M.F.A. is an expert in this innovative and effective tool. Peter’s company, Invizion has been using “interactive theater” for years with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, the Federal Government, police departments, medical schools, and other proactive organizations.
Foundations have rejected grant requests. Why? They tell me (by email) that our Project is “not necessary” or “it’s interesting, but it doesn’t match their agenda for mental health.” I have trouble with those who have no professional behavioral health experience telling us what’s needed and not needed. Not surprising is the enthusiastic endorsement of the Erie County Department of Mental Health who have awarded The Episodes Project a percentage of the cost to launch the Spotlight on the Community component. On a daily basis, they are confronted with an overwhelming increase in mental illness, addiction, community trauma, gun violence, human trafficking, cyberbullying, sextortion, gaslighting, sexual abuse, and a dramatic drop in people going into the behavioral health field. They get it.
So, “Why bother,” you ask? Somedays I ask myself, too. Seconds later, I’m reminded of my parent’s advice and my innate personality that refuses to quit. We lose precious lives every day. Shouldn’t that be why we all should ‘bother’? We all know someone who has suffered a tragic loss due to a behavioral health struggle that could have been prevented. Peter and I cannot quit. Will you consider helping us launch The Episodes Project?
Tom McNulty, M.S.
Co-Creator, The Episodes Project
Contact:
tomsuccess@verizon.net or (716) 481-4578
SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS 