BMC HealthNet Plan signs pledge to end mental health stigma in the workplace

Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan (BMCHP) President Susan Coakley on Friday joined the statewide CEOs Against Stigma campaign by signing a pledge to help end workplace stigma associated with employees who seek support for their mental health issues. The campaign and the pledge, which was signed by 25 other area CEOs, are being developed and overseen by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI).

“Because good mental health is critical to good overall health and wellness, we are committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support, not only for our members but also for our employees,” said Ms. Coakley. “We will encourage acceptance and empathy among all our employees, and develop understanding on how to seek assistance for a mental health need.”

With its CEOs Against Stigma pledge and campaign, NAMI is engaging business leaders in combatting the stigma of mental illness in the workplace. According to NAMI, the number one disability in the workplace is mental illness, mostly depression.

Boston Medical Center Health Plan, Inc., founded by Boston Medical Center in 1997, is a non-profit managed care organization doing business in Massachusetts as BMC HealthNet Plan. In New Hampshire the business name is Well Sense Health Plan. With 220,000 members in Massachusetts, BMC HealthNet Plan is ranked fourth among Medicaid plans in the nation according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2014-2015. BMC HealthNet Plan also continues to maintain Excellent Accreditation from NCQA as a Medicaid health maintenance organization. In addition, BMC HealthNet Plan’s Qualified Health Plan program has been awarded Accredited status from NCQA, the highest accreditation level available at this time.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI) was founded in 1982 as a nonprofit, grassroots education, support and advocacy organization. It is the state’s voice on mental illness, with 21 local chapters and more than 2,000 members. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for people with mental health challenges and their families by educating the public; fighting stigma, discrimination and stereotypes; and promoting recovery. To that end, the organization offers free, peer-led programs that provide resources, insights, coping skills and genuine support. NAMI Mass has been chosen by the National Alliance on Mental Illness as the Outstanding State Organization for 2015.