Improving Workplace Safety through Mental Health Promotion

This workshop will provide an overview of the connection between mental health and workplace safety.
 Participants will learn about resources available to support the mental well-being of their workforce
and prevent the negative outcomes of unaddressed substance use and mental health challenges, such
as poor job performance and productivity, low morale, interpersonal conflict, and more serious
outcomes like suicide and overdose.

Speakers:
Ashwinee Kulkarni, MPH, is the Resilient Workplace Program Manager at Invest EAP Centers for
Wellbeing.  In this role, Ashwinee is working to develop and implement a Resilient Workplace
Certification program with the goal of promoting resiliency and well being at Vermont workplaces.  Prior
to joining Invest EAP, Ashwinee was the Worksite Wellness Program Administrator at the Vermont
Department of Health, developing resources and partnerships to promote workplace wellness and
safety. In this role, she was also a liaison to the Board of Directors of the VT Safety & Health Council.
Rachel Newton, MNSP, is the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Program Manager at the Vermont
Department of Health. In this role, she oversees the daily operations of the OD2A Program, including
budget and grant management and coordinating overdose prevention and response activities in the
state. She holds a Master of Nutrition Science and Policy and has been working in public health in
Vermont for over six years. 
Nick Nichols, MSW, is the Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator at the Vermont Department of
Health and oversees the work of a Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Grant funded by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Nick holds a master’s degree in social work and has worked to support
mental health, substance use prevention, and public health improvements in Vermont at both the
Department of Mental Health and Department of Health for over 24 years.
Shannon Prescott, CWCA, COSS, is the Director of Risk Control of The Richards Group, serving Business
Insurance clients with employment practice compliance and safety program evaluation and
implementation, helping them achieve compliance with OSHA, DOT and DOL regulations. In addition,
she provides First Aid/CPR courses and Mental Health First Aid courses. Shannon is a licensed Property &
Casualty Producer, a Certified WorkComp Advisor, a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist and is an
Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer for General Industry and Construction courses. Shannon serves on
the Stone Soup Café Board, the VT Safety & Health Council, her local Youth Commission and is also an
active member of the Massachusetts based, Franklin County Young Professionals, currently serving as
the organization’s Chairperson.