Episode 16: What workplaces can do to support people with a serious mental illness

In this session, we're joined by Hannah Hardy-Jones, CEO of Kite, to discuss serious mental illness and what workplaces can do to better support people through their journey.

Hannah was leading a successful career in human resources before the traumatic birth of her first child led to what was later diagnosed as postpartum bipolar disorder. In this discussion, Hannah will share her lived experience with bipolar, plus the myths and misconceptions of the illness. She will also share her tips and ideas for taking care as a person with a mental illness, and share tips for family, friends, and colleagues. We will also discuss the role that workplaces play in supporting people with a serious mental illness.

Hannah is CEO of the Kite Program and has an extensive background in HR, specialising in leadership development and employee relations. She developed the concept of Kite as a result of her experience with postpartum bipolar disorder after the birth of her first child, coupled with the lack of support and tools for employees she saw in the workplace to manage their mental health, focus on their wellbeing, and to improve themselves both professionally and personally. 

Using the principles of microlearning, Hannah created Kite to be the beautiful app that it is now. It launched globally in Feb 2019 as a tool for mothers (Kite for mums) and is now available as a template for any client or group to shape, so that it is applicable and relevant to their audience - under the arm of Kite for Business. Hannah has a team of 20 consultants rolling this solution out across Latin America, the USA, UK/Ireland, Europe, Australia, and NZ.

Hannah speaks openly about her mental health and has been featured in Forbes, appeared on TV1 Seven Sharp and TV3 The Project, the front page of The Press- as well as numerous magazines, radio, articles and podcasts. She is an active mental health advocate - with a passion for maternal and paternal mental health in particular.

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