~ At the City of Boston's Council meeting this week, Councilor Durkan gave her maiden speech, in which she discussed the importance of accessible and affordable mental health care. Durkan spoke of her own family's experience with mental health and substance abuse, and how it drives her to do this important work.

The hearing order stated that the World Health Organization reported a 25% increase in global rates of depression and anxiety due to the loss of life and mandated social distancing during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Durkan noted that this collective experience has had a direct impact on City of Boston employees.

"It dramatically altered how we move in society, experience community and interact with others," said Durkan. "From the beginning of the pandemic till now, the City's Employee Assistance Program has had to more than double its budget from over $200,000 in 2021, to over $650,000 in this year's budget. We need to invest in our workers' well-being, and make sure we keep moving in the right direction."

More on Boston Chron

• Bitsight Named an Overall Leader in 2023 KuppingerCole Leadership Compass Report for Attack Surface Management USA - English USA - English
• SK Biopharmaceuticals' Proteovant Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data on IKZF2 Protein Degrader Program and MOPED™ Molecular Glue Screening Platform at the 20th Annual Discovery on Target Conference
• Samuel Adams Just Unlocked Beer Lovers' Phobia: Cenosillicaphobia
• Jennifer Steffens, PE Joins Opti Software for Stormwater Solutions as Vice President of Marketing
• Massachusetts Selected to Host ARPA-H Hub as Part of Nationwide Health Innovation Network

The City of Boston Human Resource Department's Employee Assistance Program works to promote quality of life for city employees by addressing their mental health care needs without fear or stigma. Durkan noted that many city employees have jobs that are psychologically intense by nature, such as 911 dispatchers who respond to over half million calls per year or parking enforcement officers who can be put into tough situations as part of their job.

Durkan concluded her speech by saying "We ask people to do extremely challenging things, so we need to be there for them." The hearing order was assigned to the Committee on Boston's COVID-19 Recovery.

---

Show All News | Report Violation