Mental Health at Work: Your Monthly Digest from Mel

September is a new season for most of us. Whether it's a new academic year, a career change, or simply the desire for a fresh start, this time of year can be both invigorating and unsettling. Personally, I use this time to reflect on my journey so far in the year, celebrate my accomplishments, and plan for exciting opportunities and projects that I want to achieve in the next new calendar year. The latter of which is both exciting and mentally exhausting at the same time, amiright?

Speaking of new shiny things and projects that lie ahead… I have something very BIG and exciting in the works (!!)...but I’m going to keep a lid on it for now. I’ll be making an announcement about it next month in October - stay tuned! For now, here’s what I’ve been up to in September when it comes to mental health at work for the World of Work:

I Spent Time in the Mountains Chatting with Robert Irvine & O.A.R. Bassist Benj Gershman About Advocacy in Action!

The first (annual ) Mountains and Minds Mental Health Summit was such a meaningful experience. I truly hope this becomes an annual event. Not just because we ALWAYS need more action-oriented conversations about mental health, but because it would be a privilege to do my part to support this locally in my home state too (Colorado baby!).

As much as I loved this event, I want to give a huge thank you to these incredible people that I met and spoke to while at the event:

• Benj Gershman: for his deep passion for opening up these conversations, and for inviting me to be a part of this event.
• Chef Robert Irvine: for his constant drive to create change & new outcomes in the first responder community around mental health.
• James Kenly and Megan McGee Bonta: for using the Vail Symposium as a powerful platform to broadcast this message in your local community.
• Adam Bornstein: for speaking about nutrition's role in mental health.
• Pat Milbery: for using art and community to bring people together.
• Judith Landau: for giving critical thought leadership to local providers.
• Drew Petersen: for sharing his story, not only as a professional athlete but as someone from a local mountain town, bringing awareness to what those mental health stories can sound like.

I’ve Been Teaching the MLS Organization - Orlando City Soccer Club - the Importance of Achievable and Practical Stress Management

For the past year+, I’ve been so appreciative to work with the MLS team Orlando City Soccer Club on normalizing mental health conversations in their organization. From fireside interviews, to book signings, to workshops - we’ve done it all! This year, we’re focusing on equipping their club with the realistic approach and personal accountability required for ongoing practical stress management, especially in the professional sports industry! They’re putting in the work, and it shows! We had such a blast for our September sessions, and I can’t wait to go back again next month!

P.S. Every time I walk in that stadium, literally all I can think of is Ted Lasso and all of the incredible mental health and leadership lessons sprinkled throughout every single episode!

A big thank you to Monica Nieves, SHRM-CP, CPSP and Caesar Lopez for their continued passion and support around #MentalHealthAtWork for their organization!

Podcasts, Podcasts, and more Podcasts!

Yes, learning how to talk about Mental Health at Work is a SKILL, like any other skill. And I’m grateful to Matt Poepsel, PhD from The Predictive Index for having me on the Lead the People podcast to talk about exactly that! This connection was made possible by the ultimate connector, Tracie Sponenberg - thank you! You can listen here.

Pioneering a Culture of Openness in the Workplace, my episode of the Be It Till You See It podcast with Lesley Logan aired this month! In it, I divulge a personal story about a workplace bully and how I addressed the situation–in a more direct way than most–because it was important to me and it impacted my mental health, even outside of work. I shared tips for simplifying complex conversations (hint: prepare for the outcome you want) and insights on learning how to manage my growing team of contractors. I hope you’ll give it a listen!

And the "pièce de résistance"...(drumroll please)...I had the pleasure (and honestly highlight of my career) of recording with Kim Scott and her co-host Wesley Faulkner for the Radical Respect podcast. It was one of the most honest, nuanced, and purposeful conversations about Mental Health At Work that I’ve ever had on a podcast. I was fangirling over Kim’s firsthand thoughts about Workplace Mental Health – she’s the Radical Candor Queen of Feedback! My episode will be released in October so give them a follow now and keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Radical Candor®

I’ve Joined the Minds of All Kinds Advisory Board to represent Mental Health at Work!

I've recently joined Margaux Joffee’s Minds of All Kinds organization as an Advisory Board Member! As a late-diagnosed ADHDer with depression and sensory processing challenges, it was hard for Margaux to find resources and role models to navigate life and work, so she built it herself - and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

I'll be advising on how to ensure that mental health at work is accurately represented and taken into account within the context of Margaux's mission: to empower the Neurodivergent community by creating neuro-inclusive leaders in our schools, workplaces, and communities.

I’m On a Heavy Learning Curve as a Team Leader - and I Love It!

I share so much of who I’m working with and what I’m working on. This year, I’m working on pulling back the curtain to share more about what goes on behind the scenes in my business, and my own journey to becoming a leader too. Practicing what I preach, here goes!

As a leader, my philosophy is:

“I get out of the way so my team can do the great things and what they do best. They have such incredible skills that I don’t, so when they advise me, I listen. They have a deep care for this mission and my work. The resulting trust, collaboration, and fun we have is what I always dreamed of having in my growing business - and I feel deeply fortunate that it became a reality.”

I have been busily and strategically scaling this business as a solopreneur, supported by a wonderful team of contractors and freelancers. After you read the bios of my incredible team members, keep scrolling to read all about Lola's (my fur baby) new role as Head of Barking Services Let’s be honest, she’s earned it!

PLUS, Ilana and Melissa met up IRL for lunch and it unlocked a new core memory for me. This is my first time building my OWN team and the fact that they truly support each other, have complementary skills, and like one another has been a gloriously beautiful thing to experience.

Every company, no matter the industry, size, or location needs to care about and prioritize mental health at work. And good news - I work with organizations of all shapes and sizes around the world! If you think your company is ready to take action, please take a gander at my tailored advising services or customized program offerings, and reach out to me to learn more. We can discuss your goals and scope a set of deliverables for your business to continue moving the needle forward.

Cheers,

Mel

Need More Resources?

Get Upskilled With My LinkedIn Learning Courses:

Leaders:

• Navigating the Mental Toll and Stress of Leadership
• Talking About Mental Health As a Leader

Individual Contributors:

• Realistic Strategies to Talk About Mental Health at Work

Get My How-To Guide:

• Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health At Work (Here’s Why and How To Do It Really Well) (Available in paperback, kindle, & audiobook)

Legal Compliance for Workplace Mental Health Conversations:

• The Right Stuff™: Conversational and Legal Approaches to Mental Health at Work
• Inquire here!

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