Mental health and success: Stress, ego and stigma
January is National Mental Wellness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental health by raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help.
Our society tends to view successful individuals as “having it all together,” yet the reality is often far different. Mental health issues can and do impact successful people, from high-performing business executives and members of wealthy families to highly paid athletes and celebrities. Just as with any other socioeconomic group, stress, depression and anxiety take their toll on successful individuals and their families. And in many cases, the roadblocks to effective treatment—including stigma, shame and guilt, as well as the feeling they should be able to solve all their problems on their own—can be even higher.
During the January 17 panel, mental health experts and people with lived experience will share their insights into the particular challenges these individuals and their families can face and the supports they need to effectively address them.
The panel is presented by CFO and Healthing. It will feature two mental health experts from The Residence—Dr. Ben McCutchen, Chief of Psychiatry and Paul Obermeyer, RN (Treatment Consultant). And will be moderated by journalist Sarah Moore and presented by CFO’s Managing Editor, Joe Chidley.
More on the panelists
Dr. Ben McCutchen, Chief of Psychiatry, The Residence
Dr. Ben McCutchen is Chief of Psychiatry for The Residence, Ravensview and Workplace Mental Health. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and completed both his undergraduate medical degree and postgraduate psychiatry training at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University. He is the current Academic Lead for Homewood Health Centre / Waterloo Regional Campus, and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at McMaster University. Prior to joining The Residence, he worked on the Trillium Acute Care Program for Crisis Support at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, Ontario. Dr. McCutchen provides assessment and treatment services to adults experiencing a range of difficulties including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, trauma-related disorders, and psychosis.
Paul Obermeyer, RN, Treatment Consultant, The Residence
As the Treatment Consultant for The Residence at Homewood, Paul brings over 25 years of mental health and addictions experience and is the client’s initial contact to explore the benefits the program can offer. With extensive experience in emergency psychiatry, Paul will help assess individual treatment needs and goals to facilitate a seamless admission into the program. As the former director, Paul is well suited to answer any questions clients have about the program and what to expect during their stay.
Sarah Moore, Jounalist
Sarah Moore will be moderating the panel. She has over 20 years of journalism experience. She was previously the Managing Editor of Today's Parent, since then she's dipped her toes in print, editorial and commercial content. Moore is well-versed in the various challenges facing Canadians and is looking forward to moderating the January 17 discussion.
REGISTRATION: To register for the event, please click the "Registration" tab at the top of the page.