The StigmaFighter
Ending the stigma of mental illness in the workplace, one blog at a time. Join our mission to eliminate the stigma of mental illness in the workplace!
2023
Starting in late April, 2023, I was forced to take a medical leave due to a severe depressive episode, the most severe and extended of my life. It was the most difficult challenge I have ever faced - and I have had multiple depressive episodes, a manic episode (I have...
Introducing Men’s Mental Health Matters, Too
I was recently invited to join a group called Event Minds Matter (EMM), which is focused on providing helpful content in support of the mental health of event professionals. EMM can be found on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, and recently launched a new initiative...
Remembering Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss
I was on vacation in paradise when I learned of the tragic loss of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss to suicide. I have thought about him, and the millions of others who suffer deeply behind masks of happiness and success, every day since. I have thought of his family, and the...
End the stigma in your workplace.
Mental Illness – A Lifelong Battle
On October 27th 2021, I woke up to yet another depressive episode. It was my 9th of the year. The previous 8 had been short, lasting 2-6 days each. Although that’s more frequent than I would like, it is at least manageable. Episode 9 would be different, however. It...
Interview with Matthew Dickson: schizophrenia and mental illness in the developing world
An Important Discussion About Mental Illness in the Developing World Jason Finucan, Founder of StigmaZero, is pleased to share the following interview with Matthew Dickson of Mind Aid. Matthew is an inspirational figure, having triumphed after a 27-year battle with...
Workplace Mental Health: Moving from Awareness to ACTION
Implications of Covid-19 for Mental Health Prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, mental illness was already a very serious – and growing – problem. Whether you looked at the data published by the World Health Organization, the National Alliance on...
StigmaZero Founder Featured on CBC Gem Documentary
On Friday, November 13th at 8:30pm, CBC will air the “Bipolar Disorder” episode of their documentary series “You Can't Ask That – Season 2.” As with the first season, this innovative show “continues to confront prejudices and break down taboos in society in an...
Stigma Podcast with Stephen Hays
Jason Finucan was invited to join the Stigma Podcast, hosted by Stephen Hays and which features "stories of addiction, mental illness, recovery, hope and wellness with input from clinicians, addicts, entrepreneurs and advocates for mental health." Click here to listen...
Now is the time to invest in employee mental health
In my last article, I covered how the challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything most of us have ever faced and would impact our mental health. Since that publication, many experts and thought leaders in the mental health space have raised the...
The Importance of Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis
The challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything most of us have ever faced. In addition to the fear of how the disease will impact our loved ones, some of whom are at greater risk of falling seriously ill, we are dealing with ever-increasing...
How stigma cost me two and a half years of my life
I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder in February of 2005. You might think that was a huge challenge, both personally and professionally – and you would be right. That said, the greatest (and most destructive) challenge I faced as a result of this diagnosis actually...
The Market is Ready to End the Stigma
From June 23 to 26, Rylan McKinley and Jason Finucan of StigmaZero, pictured left to right, attended the SHRM 2019 annual conference and exposition in Las Vegas. We were proud to introduce StigmaZero to the US market (represented by nearly 19,000 delegates) as a...
20 Stats About Mental Illness and Stigma That All Companies Need to Know
In the United States, May is mental health awareness month; in Canada, the first week of May is designated for this. In both cases, these annual initiatives help to generate significant awareness about mental health, mental illness and stigma, which is incredibly...
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