Employee Mental Health 2023 Agenda

Registration, Breakfast and Networking

Chair’s Opening Remarks & Setting the Scene

A look at what will be covered – what will be the key learning outcomes of the day?

Cal Beyer, Human Capital Risk Management & Wellbeing Consultant, SAFE Project

Creating Long Term Sustainable Cultural Change

Keynote Presentation: “Back to Basics”: The Changing Landscape of Workplace Mental Health and the Future of Work

• How has the workplace mental health movement changed pre- and post-pandemic?
• What are emerging trends in the field of workplace mental health and employee well-being?
• What can employers do to create a healthier, vibrant future for both their business and their people?

Bernie Wong, Principal & Senior Manager of Insights, Mind Share Partners

Keynote Panel Discussion with Open Q&A: Access to Mental Healthcare: Looking Beyond the Starting Line

While the availability and quality of mental health resources provided by businesses has improved in recent years, many people still face significant barriers to accessing the care they need. Addressing disparities in access through recognition and action demands continued effort from benefits leaders within an organization. Additionally, when building a mental health program to provide an equitable experience in access to care, we must not neglect to consider how the different motivations of individuals may affect engagement. Join this opening session for a discussion on how access can be prioritized within workplaces while keeping the employees’ needs in mind.

• How can we define a high standard of providing access to mental healthcare resources within an organization?
• What are the biggest challenges with care access in the workplace, and how can we strive towards providing equal access?
• How can we challenge expectations and consider the motivations of employees across all pockets of the population?
• Following improved access to care, how can we encourage employees to utilize available resources?
• How could you restructure mental health resources and programs to ensure they are sustainable?

Moderator: Cal Beyer,Human Capital Risk Management & Wellbeing Consultant, SAFE Project

Shawna Oliver-Kapp, AVP, Global Benefits & Wellness, Manulife

Nicole Stelter, Director of Behavioral Health, Commercial Lines of Business, Blue Shield of California

Jesse Tamplen, Vice President of Behavioral Health,  John Muir Health

Dana Udall, Chief Clinical Officer,  Headspace

Morning Refreshments & Speed Networking

Case Study: Reducing Barriers to Access in the Workplace for People with Disabilities

• Examining how this organization has identified and reduced barriers to access.
• A look at how this organization is prioritizing disability accessibility and ensuring access and inclusion are prioritized across the company.
• Assessing how organizations can demystify disability in the workplace and foster the shift from compliance to inclusion.

Merrill A. Friedman, RVP, Inclusive Policy & Advocacy, Elevance Health

Fireside Chat: How is Employee Mental Health Influenced by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Culture?

• How can the DEI strategy and culture of an organization positively or negatively affect employee mental health?
• What role can individuals and organizations play in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace?
• How can ongoing education and training help address discrimination in the workplace?

Moderator: Cal Beyer,Human Capital Risk Management & Wellbeing Consultant, SAFE Project

Sabrina Mays-Diagne, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Otsuka

Kelly González, Director of Employee Experience, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Motive

Panel Discussion: Are Employee Mental Health Resources only as Good as the Workplace Culture?

Cultural aspects such as employee benefits, managerial support, and communication between colleagues can significantly affect employee well-being and productivity. While workplace culture is influenced by all employees within an organization, leadership roles take on the responsibility to provide sufficient benefits, access to mental health resources, and core values that promote a positive working environment. This panel discussion will explore why, when implementing benefits and wellbeing initiatives, we must evaluate if a workplace culture can impact success, and explore strategies to ensure the culture aligns with the company ethos.

• What is the impact of workplace culture on mental health?
• In what ways can a workplace culture limit the success of mental health resources?
• What can be used to define a positive or negative workplace culture?
• How can we break down the deep-rooted stigma around mental health in the workplace and promote more open dialogue and support?
• How can employers provide resources and enhance culture to promote mental fitness in the workplace at all levels within the organization?

Moderator: Ronke Komolafe, Mental Health Chair, Forbes Business Council

Karen Doll, Chair of the Global Human Flourishing at Work Network, Harvard University

Deborah Olsen, Well-being, Lead Strategist, U.S. Roche & Genentech 

Jesset Sidore, HR & People Leader, Independent

Lunch & Networking

Case Study: Creating a Workplace Culture that Promotes Positive Core Values

• Exploring how this company defines their workplace culture as positive, due to the success of an implemented mental health program.
• A look at which tools have been the most impactful in program and policy development to provide mental health benefits.
• Examining the role of leadership in promoting a culture that supports mental health in the workplace.

Suzi Craig, VP of Workplace Mental Health, Mental Health America

Case study with Open Q&A: Measuring the Success of Employee Mental Health Programs: Looking Beyond the Data

• How do you know if an employee benefit is truly adding value? How do you measure the success rate?
• How can absenteeism, reduced productivity and increased healthcare expenses be assessed to provide insight into employee wellbeing?
• How can we read between the lines and work out what the data isn’t telling us?

Nicole Stelter, Director of Behavioral Health, Commercial Lines of Business, Blue Shield of California

Fireside Chat: Assessing the US Landscape of Reproductive and Parental Rights: What Are The Challenges for Employees and Employers?

The US landscape of reproductive and parental rights presents a complex conversation, with legal, political and social elements to consider. The challenges faced by employees and employers need to be addressed in an effort to ensure the best support can be provided. This fireside chat will open the conversation around reproductive and parental rights, with a focus on clarity, care and factual analysis.

• What are the current laws and policies around abortion and reproductive rights for employees?
• What are some of the challenges that employees face when accessing abortion and reproductive healthcare, such as cost, time, and stigma?
• How can employers help to address these challenges and support employees in accessing the care they need?
• How can employers determine an appropriate policy for parental leave on a local or national basis?
• How can we create a more inclusive conversation around reproductive healthcare in the workplace, that respects the diversity of experiences and needs among employees?

Dorianne Mason, Director of Health Equity, Reproductive Rights and Health, National Women’s Law Center

Crystal Miller-O’Brien, Employment Law Advice & Litigation Counsel, Glaser Weil

Afternoon Refreshments & Networking

Presentation: Building the future of mental health: Preventing burnout and promoting psychological safety at work

• What is the impact of burnout on employee well-being, productivity, and the workplace as a whole?
• How can employers recognise the signs of burnout and actively address these?
• What are some resources that can be provided to employees for stress management? How can employers act to prevent burnout?

Chris DeCou, Head of Global Behavioral Health, Amazon

Panel Discussion: Embracing Evolving Trends in Employee Mental Health and Turning Data into Action

The approaches to address employee mental health are continually evolving as trends in this field constantly shift, with new strategies and technology influencing the dynamic benefits landscape. This expert-led session will examine the intersection of technology, data analytics, and mental health practices, shedding light on the potential benefits and challenges associated with incorporating analytics into employee well-being initiatives. By exploring these topics, this panel intends to provide valuable insights and strategies to create a future where mental health support in the workplace is more comprehensive, data-driven, and effective.

• How can those in leadership roles effectively integrate evolving trends in employee mental health into their existing strategies and practices?
• What specific benefits can data analytics offer in understanding and addressing employee mental health, and how can organizations harness this potential?
• What challenges may arise when incorporating analytics into employee mental health initiatives, and how can these challenges be mitigated?
• How can people-focused and data-driven approaches be collaboratively leveraged to create personalized and accessible mental health support for employees?

Moderator: Cal Beyer,Human Capital Risk Management & Wellbeing Consultant, SAFE Project

Suzeth Lara, Senior Director, Global Benefits, PacBio

Tara Davis, Director, Internal Communications & Staff Wellbeing, American Psychological Association

Nabomita Dutta, SVP, Commercial Strategy and Partnerships, Teladoc Health

Chair’s Closing Remarks

• Summary of key learnings discussed throughout the day.
• What can we expect from the future of employee mental health?

Cal Beyer,Human Capital Risk Management & Wellbeing Consultant, SAFE Project