Jason Finucan

Jason Finucan, Founding Principal of Empower Professional Services, helps corporations and associations create a stigma-free workplace, so they can reduce the negative impacts and lost productivity caused by mental illness.

COST OF MENTAL ILLNESS

Each year, the cost of mental illness in Canada is approximately $50 billion1, a staggering impact which includes reduced and lost productivity. A particular challenge is the stigma that still surrounds mental illness, which prevents many from ever seeking treatment.

The impact of mental illness is prevalent in every single workplace; for example, one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. The remaining four will have a friend, family member or colleague who will.1

Despite this widespread prevalence, mental illness is still greatly misunderstood in today's society. The statistics speak volumes:

• Just 50% of Canadians would tell friends or colleagues that they have a family member with a mental illness, compared to 72% who would discuss a diagnosis of cancer and 68% who would talk about a family member having diabetes.2

• 49% of those who believe they have suffered from symptoms of depression or anxiety have never consulted a doctor about this problem.2

• On any given week, at least 500,000 employed Canadians are unable to work due to mental illness.3

While all types of illness pose significant challenges to employers, the stigma surrounding mental illness creates complications that must be overcome to minimize lost productivity.

Empower Professional Services' Founding Princial Jason Finucan has the expertise to reduce the negative financial impact created by mental illness, as well as the damage it can have on workplace morale.

1 Investing in Mental Health, a Report by the Mental Health Commission of Canada
2 Canadian Institutes of Health Research Mental Health Statistics
3 CAMH Statistics on Mental Illness and Addictions

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Jason has had the unique experience of being diagnosed with both a major physical illness (heart defect leading to open-heart surgery) and a mental illness (bipolar disorder). It was in comparing the two experiences, both personally and professionally, that he realized the destructive power of stigma, which is very prevalent with respect to mental illness and yet non-existent with other, more known illnesses.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (MENTAL ILLNESS)

Since 2006, Jason has provided over 30 presentations on behalf of AMI-Quebec, a grassroots, Montreal-based organization that is committed to helping manage the impact of mental illness through support, education, guidance and advocacy. These educational lectures have positively impacted students of Montreal-based high schools, CEGEPs and universities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (OTHER)

Prior to founding Empower Professional Services, Jason had a successful 12-year career as a fundraising, alumni relations and communications professional for McGill University, The Studyand St. George's School of Montreal.

OTHER SERVICES - PUBLIC SPEAKING COACHING

Jason also offers professional services in the area of Public Speaking. With a BA in Theatre and Speech Communication from the University of Waterloo and extensive public speaking experience, Jason understands the vital role of performance in every public speaking engagement, large or small.