Creating an environment of psychological safety can enhance team performance. While there is a fine line between sharing personal challenges and overdoing it, receiving feedback can help adjust conversations at work. Individuals experiencing mental health issues may benefit from sharing with trusted individuals, either during the struggle or after recovery. Seeking professional help is crucial, but if not possible, free online resources can also be helpful. It is vital to remember that mental illnesses are treatable and that support is available. Sharing personal experiences can lead to unexpected positive outcomes and may contribute to reducing the stigma around mental health, even though there are no guarantees of universal experiences. Although there is no instant solution to anxiety and depression, discussing these issues openly is essential to foster understanding and support in the absence of a magical fix button.
We can't get rid of anxiety and depression, so we might as well talk about it, says depression truth-teller Adam Whybrew. Sharing his own experience with mental illness, he reveals the surprising benefits of opening up about stress at work — and why being vulnerable creates a safe space for everyone. After the talk, Modupe discusses why we all need to advocate for important causes on an institutional level — and how to start.