Transforming Mental Health:

As we envision a just and thriving future… what needs to happen in terms of policy, education, social systems so every person has the support to grow their social and emotional skills?  How can role models and influencers, educators, elected officials, young people, parents, clinicians, companies… all come together in support of a society that is truly mentally healthy? 

Created in collaboration with National Children’s Campaign & The Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network

Introduction

Between the pandemic, the ongoing anti-racist uprising, and the huge sea of uncertainty ahead of us… we’re in a time of change. Perhaps more than ever in my life,  I hear people questioning almost everything about the “old normal” — including the way we talk about mental health — which might just be at the core of all the other challenges.

As we envision a changing future… can we finally shift the conversation about “mental health” away from illness… and toward a just and thriving future of all? Thankfully, many people are lending their support to normalize the conversation around emotional wellbeing — but what do we do next? How do we go beyond creating awareness?

Panelists

• Erika Rose Santoro is a multidimensional artist, warrior and teacher of transformation and healing.  For 20 years, Erika operated as a Creative Business Partner and trusted advisor to Grammy-winning recording artist Alicia Keys. In addition, Erika cofounded the philanthropic endeavors, Keep A Child Alive and the We Are Here Movement. IG: @erikarosesantoro
• Christabel Reed, co-founder of Advaya, the London-based system change initiative for radical regeneration and joyful revolution and EarthSpace media, as well as EcoResolution, with Cara Delevingne, to empower people all over the world. Twitter: @advaya_co IG: @advaya.co
• Eva Borden is the managing director responsible for Cigna’s Behavioral Health strategy and solutions; which includes design, development and innovation across the behavioral health suite of services.  Eva has been with Cigna for over twenty years and brings a tremendous amount of personal and professional passion to this space.
• Aida Murad is a champion for mental health philanthropy and a visual artist. Raised in Jordan and residing in Los Angeles, she is an Arab-American entrepreneur who is working on systems change within mental health, an entrepreneur coach focused on founder wellbeing, a writer for Thrive Global, and the Co-Director for NEXUS MENA & Arab Diasporas and Mental Health Council bringing impact investors, philanthropists and social entrepreneurs together.
  Twitter: @aidamurad  IG: @muradaida 
• Moderator: Joshua Freedman, cofounder and CEO, The Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network, working since 1997 toward a world with more EQ. Josh is a Master Certified Coach and author of the best-selling At the Heart of Leadership
  Twitter: @EQjosh of @6s_EQ
  IG: @joshmfreedman of @6secondseq

Key questions

• what’s one word you’d use to describe the state of mental health in the world today.
• On this panel, we have people deeply committed to mental health, to change, to growth, to the health of the planet, to replacing racism with social justice… with all the major issues we must face: is there a common ground… where is the intersection of these topics
• What is your vision of a mental healthiness?
• If we expand beyond the individual & family… what would it mean to have a mentally healthy society?
• As we consider the massive challenges and changes ahead… what’s the “inside work” we need to do individually & collectively to pave the way for thriving?
• What are the social and emotional resources we ALL need to courageously step into difficult conversations about race, identity, and the world we want to co-create?
• What would it take for everyone to have the assets needed for emotional wellbeing — and could that coincide with an end to racism?