Lynn Mulvey has been named director of adult behavioral services for The Providence Center. She is responsible for the administrative and clinical operations of adult behavioral services at the center, which serve adults with mental illness and addictive disorders. Mulvey is a licensed chemical dependency professional. She received a master’s degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She lives in Providence.
PBN: Do people underestimate the number of adults in the work force suffering from some type of mental illness?
Mulvey: Yes. During a one-year period, up to 50 million American adults, or 22 percent, suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder that interferes with employment, attendance at school or daily life.
PBN: What addictions are growing the most among adults?
Mulvey: (Approximately) 15.4 million American adults and 4.6 million adolescents experience serious alcohol-related problems and another 12.5 million suffer from drug abuse or dependence. Marijuana is second only to alcohol in popularity as a recreational drug. Technology has greatly impacted human behavior. Internet addiction includes online gaming and cyber-sexual addiction.
PBN: What can companies do to recognize signs of addictions in the workplace?
Mulvey: The workplace can function as a conduit for information on prevention and identification. It is estimated that 5.4 million full-time workers and 1.9 million part-time workers abuse drugs. With these individuals, absenteeism is 66 percent higher, work-related accidents 20 to 25 percent higher, health benefit utilization 84 percent greater, disciplinary action 90 percent higher.
PBN: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Mulvey: I enjoy working in community mental health systems because their mission has been to provide high quality care to all clients, regardless of income.
