Inspired by the nightmarish suffering and tragic deaths of family members and close friends, For Life is dedicated to the millions of individuals around the world who are victims of an unrecognized global epidemic of iatrogenic (treatment-caused) harm caused by prescribed psychotropic medications that have led to countless misdiagnoses, resulting in senseless poly-drugging, loss of careers, marriages, serious disability, and death.
With a libretto by Harvard-trained psychologist and Mad in America co-founding editor Kermit Cole, For Life is both a response and a call for accountability, reform, and education in mental health care. Endorsed by the organization Mad in America and the National Association of Rights Protection and Advocacy, For Life was premiered by Baldwin Wallace Conservatory students for the 2021 Operas in Place festival.
In addition to both an orchestrated and piano-vocal score, the video performance is available as an educational tool for schools and organizations.
For Life was commissioned for the Cleveland Opera Theater/Baldwin Wallace Conservatory’s Operas in Place festival and was filmed for the online premiere on February 21, 2021. The recording may be viewed here.
This opera takes a critical view of the medicalization of human emotions, the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on psychiatry, and the iatrogenic harm caused by psychiatric medication. It was featured at the 2022 National Association of Rights Protection and Advocacy Conference in Newark, New Jersey. A Mad in America article and interview with Robert Whitaker about the opera can be seen and heard here.
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