Research has shown that ownership unity and family cohesion is essential to the longevity of family enterprises. The very real challenges of building and running a family business on a day to day basis create unique stressors on the mental health of the family and the individual family members, yet pressures of society and maintaining our family image make talking about mental health challenges a taboo. 

This session will explore why there is such a stigma around talking about issues of mental health (such as anxiety/depression, substance abuse, dementia, narcissism and more), how avoiding these issues can create stress and fracturing in ownership unity, and what families can do to move from silence and ignoring the importance of mental health, to being proactive and cultivating a culture of love and support that sustains the individual and mental health of the family. This presentation/discussion will be based on a year long exploration of this topic lead by the moderator.