Former U.S. Representative to provide keynote address at virtual summit focused on mental health

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - April 7, 2020 - PRLog -- Surveys have shown that improving workplace mental health is a top priority for minnesota employers because of the significant impact these conditions have on a company's culture and business performance. And as the current coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic places new pressures on companies and employees, and contributes to anxiety and depression for many, it's now more important than ever to talk about improving mental health care and outcomes. The minnesota health action group's (the action group) annual employer leadership summit will tackle these issues in an all-new, virtual format on april 29, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. For a full agenda and to register online, visit: www.actiongroupsummit.com.

Renowned mental health advocate, activist, founder of the kennedy forum, and summit keynote speaker, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy will kick off a day-long agenda of high-profile, engaging conversations about finding the best path forward for improved mental health care for all. Employers, health care experts, and health care companies from across the country are invited to attend the virtual action group leadership summit to discuss today's most pressing health care issues and the value of investing in workplace and community mental health.

"the covid-19 pandemic's intense pressure on our society and the workplace calls for heightening our collective focus on mental health care and outcomes, which is why we are going forward with our regularly scheduled april event in a virtual format," said mamie segall, president and ceo of the action group. "employers, thought leaders, policy advocates and benefits leaders across the country will benefit from the perspectives, experiences, and best practices that will be shared in a safe and engaging online experience. Individuals and families who rely on employer-sponsored benefits need us to amplify our collaborative work to drive improved access, care and outcomes for mental health care for all."

This year's summit theme, "the path forward: employers driving improved mental health care and outcomes," complements several new initiatives from the action group and its mental health guiding coalition. This year's summit theme also aligns with the action group's goal of working with key stakeholders to improve the statewide rate of depression from 8% to 50%, with a focus on ensuring integrated mental health care for depression and anxiety. This initiative is supported by a research and engagement award granted to the action group by the patient-centered outcomes research institute (pcori) in 2019.