Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life

AHA Executive Dialogue Series on Behavioral Health Care

Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life – McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA

Held May 31, 2017

Stigma-- a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person – continues to be a significant barrier to access, treatment, and coverage of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Yet, each of our organizations can take steps to deconstruct and hopefully eradicate stigma.

Three executives from McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, part of Partners HealthCare, -- Michele L. Gougeon, MSS, MSc, EVP and COO, Adriana Bobinchock, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Communications, and Brent Forester, MD, MSc, Division Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry, and Medical Director, Behavioral Health in Population Health Management, Partners HealthCare, will share the impetus, evolution, and impact of the Deconstructing Stigma initiative.

A public awareness campaign, Deconstructing Stigma boldly challenges the misconceptions regarding mental illness. Told through a series of larger-than-life photographs and stories of people who have been affected by psychiatric conditions, it was initially installed at Boston Logan International Airport.

Webinar participants will learn how the stories were selected, what protections and supports are provided to the individuals participating in the initiative, the depth and breadth of media and community reaction, the cost and replicability of this work, the next phase of the initiative, and most importantly how it’s shaped lives and influenced many to seek treatment for the first time.

An email with information on how to access the webinar will be sent to you on Tuesday, May 30th. Until then, check out the video of the Deconstructing Stigma launch event.

CALL MATERIALS

Presentation slides (PDF)

Speakers' Bios