The Long Island Association’s Health, Education, and Not-For-Profit Committee Holds Event Focusing on Mental Health in the Workplace

The Long Island Association’s Health, Education, and Not-For-Profit Committee Holds Event Focusing on Mental Health in the Workplace
 
Click for pictures of the event

 

Melville, NY – The Long Island Association (LIA) hosted a discussion today with 70 LIA members and mental health experts focusing on resources available to Long Island companies and their employees. The panelists emphasized how mental health impacts worker productivity and the overall success of businesses. The event follows Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal in the State of the State yesterday to invest $1 billion in mental health services.

 
“The business community can play an important role in fostering a culture that supports mental health and the well-being of our employees as it is critical to increasing productivity, the bottom line of our companies, and the region’s economic growth,” said Matt Cohen, President & CEO of the LIA.
 
The panelists included:
 

 
“Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide and results in decreased engagement and communication in the workplace as well as lost work time. The Office of Mental Health is committed to looking at the lifespan of individuals and how mental health impacts them, and we are addressing prevention, treatment, as well as supporting people who are suffering from mental health so that they can be successful in their employment,” said Moira Tashjian, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health.
 
“We need to foster a workplace culture where there is no stigma for employees to come forward and seek help, and also ensure that health professionals are available and accessible to them,” said Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, President & CEO, Catholic Health.
 
“The pandemic allowed us to have an open conversation about mental health and its impact on our residents, and now more attention and resources are being devoted to the issue to enable us to enact long-term systematic change,” said Paule Pachter, President & CEO of Long Island Cares.
 
“As a community it is important to be innovative in providing resources to people who are struggling, and in our places of business establish a culture that resonates to help employees obtain the assistance they need,” said Neela Mukherjee Lockel, President & CEO of the EAC Network.
 
“National surveys show that six in ten children feel hopeless, and we need to address the crisis facing our kids, as well as people suffering from opioid and drug addiction, and Long Island should receive an equitable share of new investments in mental health,” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, President & CEO of the Family and Children’s Association.
 
The LIA’s Health, Education and Not-for-Profit Committee provides a forum for LIA members to discuss topics ranging from major health issues impacting Long Islanders, health insurance and accessibility, education issues, and ways to foster the work of not-for-profit organizations. In addition to the panelists, the Committee leadership includes Long Island University President Dr. Kimberly Cline, Committee Co-Chair, and Professional Practice Leader at Baker Tilly Ellen Labita, Committee Co-Vice Chair. 
 
About the Long Island Association
The Long Island Association (LIA) is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. The LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality - Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org 
 

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