In the face of historically high unemployment, record home foreclosures and a volatile economy, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a provider of group and individual disability insurance, is collaborating with Mental Health America (MHA) in a effort to raise awareness about depression as a common cause of disability.
The month of May happens to be both Disability Insurance Awareness Month--coordinated by the Life & Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) since 2007--and Mental Health Month, a tradition that MHA began in 1949.
In a release, the group noted that the month-long educational campaign is centered on a brief online quiz designed to dispel myths about mental illness and disability, as well as reinforce the importance of protecting one's ability to earn an income. Every time an individual completes the quiz during the month of May, Guardian has pledged to donate $1 to support MHA's work nationwide to improve mental health and wellbeing, up to $10,000.
'The continued uncertain economic climate, high unemployment rate and increases in personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures have created additional stress for many Americans--and stress can be linked to depression,' said Barry Petruzzi, Guardian's 2nd Vice President, Group Life and Disability.
'The word 'disability' often makes people think about wheelchairs and catastrophic injuries,' added Larry Hazzard, Vice President of Product Strategy for Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, the Guardian company that issues individual disability income insurance. 'But disability often means having back problems, being temporarily sidelined as you recover from a heart attack or cancer--or battling depression or other mental illnesses.'
'In this economy, protecting your ability to earn an income with disability insurance--obtained through your employer's group plan or on your own as an individual policy--is more important than ever,' Hazzard said. 'Knowing that your family's well-being can be protected even if a serious illness like depression forces you to leave the work force temporarily is critical.'
'We are pleased to be working with Guardian to bring attention to issues related to mental health and depression,' said MHA's Shern. 'This fundraising challenge is interactive and educational. We hope that people will come away with information that will help them and their loved ones lead healthier and more balanced lives. We encourage everyone to complete the quiz and e-mail the link to their friends so that we can raise the maximum amount for this important cause.'
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