Gary Mendell on the Intersection of Mental Health and Addiction

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Bridgewater community welcomed Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof, for a conversation on the intersection of mental health and addiction.

Shatterproof is a nonprofit dedicated to reversing the course of the addition crisis in America, focused on transforming addiction treatment, ending stigma, educating and empowering communities, and advocating for change. Gary spoke about the loss of his son and how it led to his mission to spare others from tragedy. “We don't wait for change, we create it,” Gary says. “Together we’re working to transform our healthcare system, and our society, so we prevent and treat addiction with science and compassion — the way we do with any other chronic illness — and build a future where those touched by this disease don’t experience any shame or stigma.”

The conversation was moderated by Sarah Fass, Bridgewater’s Chief Human Resources Officer, who shared her personal story of loss and how Shatterproof’s action-driven work to change the narrative around substance abuse disorder led to her involvement with the organization.

Learn more about Shatterproof and resources: https://www.shatterproof.org/
For more on Bridgewater’s benefits: https://www.bridgewater.com/working-a...