Mental Health, Addiction & the COVID-19 Pandemic

Even as COVID-19 vaccines bring hope, the full impact of the pandemic will continue to be felt for some time to come. Over the past year, stress and anxiety have taken an unprecedented toll on our mental health and in the shadow of the pandemic, the opioid epidemic has gathered speed.

As we grapple with the physical and mental challenges posed by the pandemic, workers everywhere are feeling the pressure. Persistent stigma around the interconnected issues of mental health and substance use disorders too often prevent people from seeking help. 

How can leaders at the federal, state and local levels address the worsening crises of mental health and opioid use in our ongoing pandemic response? What is the role of employers in ensuring a healthy and stable workforce? How can public and private sector leaders put in place solutions that tackle these issues and the stigma surrounding them?

The Hill will gather policymakers, employers, advocacy groups, treatment experts, and more for a comprehensive discussion on prioritizing a healthy and productive workplace during the pandemic and beyond.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021
1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT

Speakers: 

• Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health
• Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Member, Youth Suicide and Mental Health Task Force; Congressional Black Caucus
• Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Co-Chair, Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus
• Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Co-Chair, Mental Health Caucus 
• Jim Carroll, Co-Founder, DC Consulting LLC; Former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
• Dr. David Fiellin, Director, Yale Program in Addiction Medicine
• Dan Gillison, CEO, NAMI
• Courtney Hunter, VP State Policy, Shatterproof

Sponsor Perspective: 

• Christopher J. Swift, Chairman and CEO, The Hartford

Moderator: 

• Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill

Questions for our speakers? Tweet us: @TheHillEvents and #TheHillMentalHealth

SPONSORED CONTENT MESSAGE:

As a leading disability and workers’ compensation insurer, The Hartford is in the business of underwriting human achievement – helping thousands of workers each year return to active, productive lives after an injury or illness. Stigma associated with mental health and addiction prevents treatment and threatens human achievement. Learn about how The Hartford’s Stigma-Free Program is helping to break down stigma in the workplace and foster empathy and hope.