Closing Thoughts on Mental Health: The Intersection with Business and Personal Branding

As we wrap up National Suicide Prevention Week, it's essential not just to pause and reflect but also to look forward. The connection between mental health, business, and personal branding isn't often discussed, but it should be—especially in a professional landscape that values authenticity, resilience, and personal growth.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, there's an urgent need to address the intersection of mental health, business, and personal development. I've been on a decade-long journey grappling with self-harm, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. Through my experiences, both personal and professional, I've realized the profound impact of mental health on every aspect of life—including the workplace.

The Misalignment: Persona and Reality

For years, my ability to "check things at the door" has been a cornerstone of my success in business. But compartmentalizing comes at a cost. My public persona was often at odds with my internal world, creating a stressful misalignment that fed into my anxiety. It wasn't until I sought therapy in 2018—when I was relatively new at SimplyBe—that I began to tackle this dissonance.

The Turning Point: Making Peace with Anxiety

I'm a goal-oriented person, and when I (re)started therapy, my top aim was to eliminate my anxiety. My therapist introduced me to parts work, a therapeutic practice that involves speaking to different aspects of yourself. Through this, I understood that none of my internal components meant me harm—they were, in fact, all trying to protect me in their own ways. A significant revelation was acknowledging that I could never get rid of my anxiety, but I could befriend it. Understanding its fears and motivations changed everything. My healing journey had truly begun.

The Leadership Quandary: Compassion vs. Performance

When I was a manager, one of my team members opened up about her mental health struggles during a performance review. As her manager, my initial focus was on her job performance; but as a human being, my heart went out to her. I encouraged her to focus on her wellbeing outside of work so she could bring her best self to the office. It was hard to draw a boundary, but I knew that given the power dynamics, I wasn't the right person for her to talk to about this. In a different life, I may have been able to support.This experience taught me the delicate balance that leaders must maintain between compassion and business requirements. What I did start doing was sharing my own journey more openly, and leading by example in taking charge of my 'life team.'

Personal Branding: Authentic Much?

Call me new-age, but I believe talking about mental health, especially when it's a personal experience, can help move the needle in more ways that we might think.

Mental Health in the Workplace: Steps Forward

From that experience and my personal journey, I believe that compassion and empathy should be a top priority in the workplace. It's essential for leaders to acknowledge the struggles of their workforce and provide resources for them. This may mean offering a healthcare plan that includes mental health support or even hiring a mental health professional within the company if you have the means.

However, it's equally crucial for employees to take radical responsibility for their lives. While it's not appropriate to discuss active mental health struggles in the context of work performance, accommodations can be made. For instance, if an employee can be more productive working from home due to their mental health condition, then that should be seriously considered.

Conclusion: Time for Open Dialogue

We're at a tipping point. We need to shift the narrative and understand that mental health is as real and as critical as any other health condition. Whether it's in the context of the workplace, family, or personal life, mental health affects every facet of human existence. We need to encourage open dialogue about these issues. The more we understand, the less we stigmatize, and the better we can integrate mental health into our holistic understanding of wellbeing—both in and out of the office.

Where to Go From Here?

So, as we close out National Suicide Prevention Week, where do we go from here? My suggestion is twofold:

1. Prioritize Mental Health: Treat your mental wellness as an asset, both personally and professionally. This may mean consulting with professionals, establishing healthier work boundaries, or incorporating self-care into your routine. It's not a detour in your journey but rather an essential path.
2. Be Open, Where Appropriate: Take opportunities to share your experiences and learn from others in forums where it's relevant and respectful to do so. As you build your personal brand, let your authenticity shine through.

The intersection between mental health, business, and personal branding is real and significant. And as we move forward, let's make sure it's a conversation that continues long after this awareness week is over.

Cheers to better, healthier, ways of being.