Westwood Lodge CEO Signs Pledge as 'CEO Against Stigma'

From the Westwood Lodge: Westwood Lodge today announced that Dania O’Connor has joined the growing list of organizational leaders across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts vowing to help eliminate workplace stigma related to mental illness. O’Connor has signed the pledge to become a CEO Against Stigma, joining the workplace initiative created by the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Mass).

“Mental health challenges are a major cause of disability in the workplace and as a leader of a large mental health provider in Massachusetts, this effort led by NAMI Mass is very important to our mission,” said O’Connor. “We fully support their efforts to create stigma-free, more productive work environments. As the CEO of Westwood Lodge and Lowell Treatment Center, I carry my personal and professional commitment to support employees who have mental health as well as addiction issues. I have witnessed the judgment and stigma cast over professional, productive family members in the workplace. Managing any illness in the work environment can be challenging for both the employee and employer. I am committed to providing an environment of compassion, understanding and flexibility that provide care and treatment for staff without any shame associated with the complexities of their health issues. I am honored to join this campaign.”
CEOs Against Stigma – which is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office – leverages the power of Chief Executive Officers to open lines of communication about mental illness, and how stigma can undermine workplace productivity. The campaign will show how understanding, empathy and treatment can improve the wellbeing of employees and increase productivity at the same time.

By signing the pledge, O’Connor has made a commitment to 295 employees at Westwood Lodge and Lowell Treatment Center to create a stigma-free environment and invite open dialogue about mental health conditions without fear of disclosure by utilizing the information and resources of NAMI Mass. “Team members at Westwood Lodge play an essential role and act as role models with our own patients. This is our commitment to our employees to provide them the resources needed to maintain their mental health and wellness.”

NAMI Mass chose to focus this anti-stigma campaign on the workplace, in part, based on results from a 2014 statewide survey of 800 Massachusetts voters, commissioned to gauge attitudes on mental illness.

The results show that, while 92% of people would advise people with mental illness to tell their families about it, and 76% would advise telling their friends, only 27% would advise telling their co-workers.

The resulting stigma has tangible effects on the workplace. According to NAMI Mass:

• In Massachusetts, at least one out of every five adults will experience some form of mental illness this year—including depression and anxiety.
• 20% of U.S. adults are currently suffering from a depressive illness;
• Employees experiencing depression lose 35% of productivity each week, and are 30% more likely to become unemployed due to their condition;
• Four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. are mental disorders, and mental illness is reported in 72% of long-term disability cases;
• 71% of U.S. adults with depression will not contact a mental-health professional, and only 57% of employees with symptoms of major depressive disorder said they had received mental-health treatment in the previous 12 months; and
• Short-term disability claims related to mental illness are growing by 10% annually and can account for 30% or more of the corporate disability experience for the typical employer.

For more information, visit www.arbourhealth.com/organizations/westwood-lodge/

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