Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions in the United States, there is a stigma attached to the topic. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness any given year. As a collective culture, we have made strides to normalize mental health challenges, with increased awareness resulting from the pandemic, but we still have a long way to go.

This webinar will provide education around the prevalence of mental health and substance use conditions and review strategies for promoting a stigma-free culture. We will review what mental health stigma is, what the driving forces are behind it, and how it impacts the wellbeing of individuals who experience mental health challenges. We will review the importance of language in promoting a stigma-free culture. We’ll end on a hopeful note; we know that mental health treatment is effective, and that reducing stigma will lead to an increased willingness of an individual to seek out treatment.

The session will conclude with a clinical representative from MIT MyLife Services, who will review the supports available through their platform to support your mental health and promote self-care.

Presenters: 
Erin Terkoski Young, M.B.A., M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.; Behavioral Health Strategy Consultant
Anjala Manuelpillai, L.M.H.C.; KGA