Our team had the privilege of supporting a special event for Mental Health Awareness Month. With little time to spare, we swiftly responded to the event production request and I was assigned as a co-producer, tasked with mentoring a new producer, Iris. To keep within the client’s budget, we reduced the number of crew members, but ensured that everyone involved was highly experienced to support Iris in her role.
Our guest speaker for the occasion was Dr. Ali Mattu, a clinical psychologist renowned for his expertise in treating anxiety disorders at prestigious hospitals in New York City. Driven by a passion for educating the general public, he had successfully launched his own YouTube channel. The event took place at YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, and it was a one-hour session where Dr. Mattu shared his insights. He also engaged in a conversation with Jessica DiVento Dzuban, the Global Head of Mental Health at YouTube.
Just moments before the show was scheduled to begin, he encountered a technical glitch with his poll app. He swiftly adapted his presentation and made necessary modifications to his Google Slides using my laptop. It was a testament to his flexibility and quick thinking under pressure.
Dr. Mattu proved to be a dynamic and empathetic speaker. I personally benefited from his practical tips on how to support individuals struggling with anxiety or depression. I feel grateful that this content would be made available to the public.
With the client’s permission, I took the opportunity to enhance the ambiance by creating a complimentary flower arrangement for the coffee table. Being mindful of the event’s theme color, yellow, I handpicked yellow and apricot roses from my garden. The warm orange lighting perfectly complemented the floral display, creating a setting reminiscent of a morning talk show on TV. The positive feedback I received encouraged me to do this in future events, as well.
