How do we know when mental illness has truly become less stigmatized? When a bastion of corporate respectability hosts an event that encourages open discussion of mental illness and related issues!

Although we speak and do workshops for a variety of organizations, usually sponsors are either in the mental health and addiction fields or corporations looking to learn about mental and emotional well being and addiction prevention in the workplace. Last week, that all changed. In honor of the end of National Mental Health Month, 2010, Valley National Bank, the largest bank headquartered in New Jersey (with many branches in the NY metro area), broke charitable ground and hosted a community mental health awareness and education event at one of its Brooklyn branches on 13^th Avenue.

VP and assistant branch manager Anna Gelardo came up with the idea to host the free event which took place during regular banking hours. She and her team opened their doors to all who passed by, sent out dozens of news releases and personal invitations, handed out fliers, and set up a free, lavish dessert buffet. There was a table in the lobby where free educational materials were available including the Therapy Patient Bill of Rights developed with the help of PsychCentral readers on this blog. The bank also raffled off several copies of our book, Therapy Revolution: Find Help, Get Better, and Move On Without Wasting Time or Money.

Most of the bank’s customers joined us when they were done with their banking business. Also, many people stopped in just to schmooze with us about mental health issues and enter the raffle. They stayed for the warm atmosphere and the buffet—not a typical day at the bank! A large number of guests had family members with mental illness or were mentally ill themselves, but many were simply curious. The entire bank staff, including the tellers, was genuinely welcoming.

We hope to do many more stigma-busting, awareness and education events—the more that people feel that the topic of mental illness (and addiction, too), can be discussed openly and brought into the public consciousness, the less they have to struggle with the additional burdens of shame and blame.

Many thanks to Valley National Bank and their wonderful team including Reetu Chokshi; Jr. Graphic Designer; Anna Gelardo, VP and Assistant Branch Manager; Inderia Ram, District Manager; Vincent Demeo, Regional Manager; Marc Piro ,Vice President, Marketing/Public Relations;  Maureen Zegler, Senior First VP; and Gerald Lipkin, Chairman, President, and CEO. (Please accept our apologies if we overlooked anyone).