GSHRM February 7 Membership Lunch Meeting

 Sponsored by First Sun and Companion Benefit Alternatives 

Topic: How My EAP Helped My Recovery

Speakers:  Dennis Gillan, Executive Director Half a Sorrow Foundation

Registration Fee: $25

Deadline: February 1, 2023

Dennis Gillan will use his story to highlight the role HR had in his recovering from the loss of two brothers to suicide. His misery has now become his mission and he will use his time to go over risk factors and warning signs of someone in mental health distress. He will also highlight how an EAP got him on the path to recovery.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learners will be able to recognize there is no stigma concerning anyone's mental health
• Learners will be able to identify the importance of utilizing available resources and the role HR has in presenting these resources
  
• Learners will be able to list what to look for in others that are struggling mentally

Speaker Bio:

Dennis Gillan, Executive Director Half a Sorrow Foundation

Dennis Gillan is a national thought leader on the topic of suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. He travels internationally speaking, raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Dennis has been deeply touched by suicide after the loss of both of his brothers to suicide, eleven years apart. After years of sitting on the sidelines, he jumped into helping those in need by working on the suicide prevention hotline when he lived in Chicago. After moving to South Carolina, Dennis got involved with several non-profits that take on mental health issues, and this allows him to lobby lawmakers and raise awareness by sharing his story. Dennis gave a TEDx talk about loneliness that has received over 25,000 views! Dennis also co-wrote a children's book about dealing with sadness and showing children how kindness can save a life. Dennis is the executive director of a non-profit called the Half a Sorrow Foundation. The name of the foundation comes from an old Swedish proverb that states a shared joy is a double joy, a shared sorrow is half a sorrow. The mission of the Half a Sorrow Foundation is to improve mental health by promoting real conversations. 

HR Certification Credit: GSHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. This program is pending for 1 hour of SHRM re-certification credit and 1 hour of HRCI General re-certification credit. Certificates will be emailed to those in attendance after the meeting along with a Feedback Survey.

Poinsett Club Dress Code: Business casual. For gentlemen, a necktie is not required. Ladies shall dress appropriately. No jeans, shorts, or tennis shoes will be allowed. Cell phone use is not allowed in the Club.

Solicitation at Meetings: With the exception of our meeting sponsor(s), GSHRM enforces a no solicitation policy at meetings. View the policy here.

Accommodations: Please indicate any special accommodations or dietary restrictions on your reservation form, or contact greenvillehr@gmail.com by the registration deadline.

Cancellation Policy:  Cancellations after the deadline date are subject to the meeting fee payment. Please direct changes or questions to greenvillehr@gmail.com.