Community Forum

Chicago Cultural Center

78 East Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Workplace Wellness at Chicago Cultural Center

8:00 am           GAR Hall Opens and Breakfast 

8:30 am           Welcome and Invocation 

9:00 am           Plenary Session: Breaking the Silence from 9-5: Best Practices for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in the Workplace

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 7.9 million adults in the U.S. live with both a mental health and substance use disorder. For too long, our work culture has expected employees to create a rigid division between personal and professional life. In this session, top researchers and policy experts challenge that tired notion and share its moral and fiscal implications. Panelists will discuss best practices for how mental health and substance use disorders impact company culture, health care costs, productivity, the bottom line, and much more.

• Kate Snow, Senior National Correspondent, NBC News; Anchor, NBC Nightly News, Weekend Edition (moderator)
• Christopher Swift, Chairman & CEO, The Hartford
• Kelly Nantel, Vice President, Communications & Advocacy, National Safety Council
• Dr. Mark Friedlander, Chief Medical Officer, Aetna
• Garen Staglin, Co-Founder & Board Chairman, One Mind

9:50 am           Thrive: Mental Health Treatment for Everyone

• Chirlane McCray, First Lady, New York City

10:15 am         Break

10:30 am        Morning Breakout Sessions:

HUMAN-CENTERED HR: FIGHTING STIGMA TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL

A healthy workforce yields happier, more engaged and productive employees. As we begin to understand the human and fiscal costs of neglecting mental health in the workplace, forward-thinking leaders across industries are looking to promote mental well-being as a key strategy in hiring and retaining top talent. This session will examine ways to supplement traditional benefits packages, human resource policies, and wellness initiatives.

• Darcy Gruttadaro, Director, Center for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association Foundation (moderator)
• Nilka Thomas, Vice President, Talent & Inclusion, Lyft
• James Boland, President, International Union of Bricklayers
• Lonnie Stephenson, International President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

BRIDGING THE GAP: A POLICY-DRIVEN, SMART BUSINESS APPROACH TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND EAPS

As the health insurance industry continues to grapple with complex and opaque health insurance plan structures, out-of-pocket requirements often shift the burden of high cost treatments to patients and their families. As employers, large purchasers, and economic drivers, business leaders can leverage their collective power to impact change in health care policy and the system at-large. They can also be proactive in implementing programs to ensure parity accreditation and finding economical ways to supplement traditional health insurance plans with robust Employee Assistance Program (EAPs). Learn about innovative solutions to promote mental wellness, add value for employees, and increase productivity and retention.

• Dr. Kate Wolin, CEO, Coeus Health (moderator)
• Dr. Mark Jones, General Director, Health & Medical Services, Union Pacific Railroad
• Nicole Thurman, Vice President, Talent Management, CHG Healthcare
• Gary Cohen, President & CEO, Employee Resource Systems
• Michael Thompson, President & CEO, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

FIRST RESPONDERS: TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES TO SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE

Due to high-stakes responsibilities and unpredictable work environments, some industries are more vulnerable to trauma. First responders, military personnel, and those facing high-stress situations should be afforded robust support prior to and following a traumatic experience. Hear from brave leaders and explore innovative and compassionate tools for promoting “post-traumatic resilience.”

• Daniel DeGryse, Director, Rosecrance Florian Program; Battalion Chief, Chicago Fire Department (moderator)
• Leah Siwinski, Paramedic, Mental Health Advocate
• Domingo Herraiz, Director of Programs, International Association of Chiefs of Police
• Cindy Lannon, Mental Health Activist

THE INSPIRED CLASSROOM: ADDRESSING THE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF OUR EDUCATORS

Thanks to research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), we know that 50 percent of all mental illness begins by age 14. We also know that students from low-income, urban communities are at higher risk of experiencing trauma in childhood – often with devastating consequences later in life. Given this alarming combination impacting school-aged children across the U.S., we must prioritize the health and needs of those too often responsible for our children’s emotional support: Teachers. This session will explore innovative programs for addressing the social and emotional needs of educators and showcase other pioneering initiatives for promoting healthy learning environments for all.

• Amy Kennedy, Education Director, The Kennedy Forum (moderator)
• Dr. Marc Brackett, Founding Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
• Laura Bay, Immediate Past President, National PTA

11:45 am        Lunch and Networking

1:15 pm          Afternoon Breakout Sessions:

“SHOULD I TELL MY BOSS?”: BUILDING A COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT AROUND EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH

Managing a mental health or substance use disorder can be challenging. Managing a mental health or substance use disorder at work – where one is frequently measured on success and productivity – can be overwhelming. Employers and managers can do better in supporting employees who come forward about mental health or substance use disorders. Research shows that it supports engagement, productivity, and overall employee well-being. Hear from mental health experts with lived experiences and engaged employers as they share best practices for supporting employees.

• Sonja Kellen, Director, Global Health & Wellness Benefits, Microsoft (moderator)
• Linea Johnson, Mental Health Advocate;  Author, Perfect Chaos
• Rwenshaun Miller, Founder & Executive Director, Eustress Inc.
• Dr. Judy Grisel, Neuroscientist; Author, Never Enough

WALKING THE WALK: PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR HIRING AND MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

Talking about stigma surrounding mental illness is easy, but playing an active role in breaking down everyday barriers can be complex. What’s the best way to end mental health stigma in the workplace? Hire people living with mental health disorders and surround them with a supportive environment. We’ll talk about walking the walk of inclusion and diversity in your workplace while building a compassionate, safe culture for employees and prospective hires. We will discuss examples for people living with mental illnesses as well as learn from the wildly successful supportive employment model for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Dr. Kelly Clark, Immediate Past President, American Society of Addiction Medicine (moderator)
• Dr. Terrence Welsh, Chief Medical Officer, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
• Geralyn Giorgio, Talent Acquisition Change Management, Communications & Training Lead, Johnson & Johnson
• Carol Kivler, Mental Health Speaker
• David Quilleon, Senior Vice President, Global Mission, Best Buddies International

ACCESS FOR ALL: TECH’S ROLE IN INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEES

As technology evolves, resources and access are better than ever – if you know how to take advantage of them. Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program (EAPs) apps make it easier to connect employees with care and support around the clock. What’s happening in this ever-changing space? Learn how tech-powered perks can impact workplace well-being now and in the future.

• Erin Barbossa, Founder, Intuissa (moderator)
• Dr. Jessica Clemons, Psychiatrist; Founder, @AskDrJess
• Dr. Nathaan Demers, Vice President & Director of Programs, Grit Digital Health
• Aneela Idnani, Co-Founder, HabitAware

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (MH/SUD) PARITY COMPLIANCE UPDATE

With the Federal Parity Law being adopted over 10 years ago, this interactive panel will address different strategies that health plans and benefit administrators are taking to comply with federal and state regulatory parity requirements. This session will focus on different stakeholder perspectives on how MH/SUD services should be offered in an environment where parity enforcement activities are increasing. Learn about the emerging pressure points and business strategies to promote parity compliance.

• Elena Lynett, Senior Health Benefits Consultant, The Segal Group
• Kevin Malone, Parity Accreditation Program Director, ClearHealth Quality Institute
• Todd Pearson, Legal Counsel, Aetna
• Colleen McKee, Chief, Division of Health Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefit Administration (EBSA), Office of Enforcement

2:30 pm          Afternoon Plenary Session

A Whole-Person Approach to Leadership: How the C-Suite is Driving the Global Conversation around Mental Health

In business, monumental change often happens from the top down. International labor leaders and CEOs from today’s most influential and trend-setting workplaces are leading the way when it comes to providing comprehensive benefits that address the whole person. Join them for a powerful discussion on what it really means to disrupt workplace culture and prioritize both the physical and emotional needs of your workforce.

• Kate Snow, Senior National Correspondent, NBC News; Anchor, NBC Nightly News, Weekend Edition
• Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO
• John Stroup, President & CEO, Belden Inc.
• Nilka Thomas, Vice President of Talent & Inclusion, Lyft
• Sonja Kellen, Director, Global Health & Wellness Benefits, Microsoft

“All In”: How One Employee Can Inspire Organizational Action to End the Opioid Crisis

In the midst of an addiction crisis that claimed over 70,000 lives in 2017, Leidos, a Virginia-based S&P 500 company providing defense, aviation, information technology, and biomedical research, is leveraging its resources for those impacted by substance use disorder. CEO Roger Krone and Leidos employee John Hindman share a profoundly personal story about how one employer can impact the lives of those struggling.

• Roger Krone, Chairman & CEO, Leidos
• John Hindman, Senior International & Public Affairs Advisor, Leidos

Call to Action: Why the Workplace is Integral in Improving our Mental Health

• Patrick J. Kennedy, Former U.S. Representative (D-RI); Founder, The Kennedy Forum; Founder, DontDenyMe.org

Closing Performance

Jon Robert Bryne is about to take the music world by storm with his funk-infused radio-ready hits. His music has a message: to inspire people to connect with each other on a human level, away from technology and social media. The Kennedy Forum recently partnered with JRB to increase awareness around tech addiction. Check out the campaign webpage and participate in the #GetOffThePhone video challenge (powered by grapevine).

4:00 pm          Conclude